THE CONTINGENT EFFECT OF SOCIAL NETWORKS ON ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT: A COMPARISON OF INSTRUMENTAL AND EXPRESSIVE TIES IN A MULTINATIONAL HIGH-TECHNOLOGY COMPANY

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between social networks and organizational commitment in a globalized workplace. The authors find not only that organizational commitment is affected by the network properties of size, power connection, and national/ethnic composition but also that these network effects are contingent upon whether the content conveyed in the relationship is instrumental or expressive. Results demonstrate that organizational commitment is (1) positively associated with network size in instrumental ties but not in expressive ties, (2) positively associated with the power of network partners in instrumental ties but less so in expressive ties, and (3) positively associated with national/ethnic diversity in expressive ties but not in instrumental ties. Findings highlight the relational foundation of organizational commitment and suggest that social networks of employees, contingent upon specific content, present different opportunities to their level of commitment to the organization.