Pathways to organizational commitment: Workplace empowerment and engagement among Spanish social workers.

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between structural empowerment and affective commitment, mediated by work engagement, in frontline social workers in Spain. Based on 2 samples (240 participants from public agencies and 226 participants from private agencies) and using linear regression models (bootstrapping method), our results showed 2 effects in the relationship between structural empowerment and organizational commitment: a direct effect fostering experiences of power and an indirect effect by increasing engagement at work. Empowering human resources management (HRM) practices (access to opportunities, information, resources, and support) is a useful tool for managers and administrators, with strong benefits for both social workers and agencies.