Work centrality and work alienation: distinct aspects of a general commitment to work

The authors tested the proposition that identification with the work role and engagement in the work role constitute different aspects of a general commitment to work. Whereas work centrality (a strictly normative attitude) represents the extent to which a person identifies with the work role, work alienation (an affect-inclusive attitude) represents the extent to which a person is engaged in the work role. Predicated on these conceptual distinctions, the authors tested whether work centrality and work alienation exhibited theoretically-meaningful, differential correlations with six variables reflecting various work-related commitments. Using data from 349 employed individuals, the results of Hotelling-Williams t tests revealed that, compared to work alienation, work centrality had stronger correlations with Protestant work ethic and leisure ethic. In contrast, compared to work centrality, work alienation was more strongly correlated with work locus of control, work self-discipline, and affective organizational commitment. Work centrality and work alienation did not differ in their correlations with job involvement-role. Taken together, the results suggest that people who are highly committed to work not only identify with the work role, they are also engaged in the work role.