Which type of commitment includes a strong emotional attachment to organizational values?

Affective commitment is characterized by a strong emotional attachment to, identification with, and involvement in the organization. This type of commitment arises when employees feel a deep connection to the organization's goals and values, resulting in a genuine sense of belonging and positive feelings toward their work environment. When employees have affective commitment, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and willing to go above and beyond in their roles.

This emotional connection is crucial because it often leads to higher levels of job satisfaction and loyalty. Employees who experience affective commitment are generally more inclined to remain with the organization, not just because of external factors such as salary or benefits, but because they truly believe in the mission and vision of the organization.

In contrast, continuance commitment refers to the perceived costs associated with leaving the organization, leading employees to stay mainly for fear of losing benefits or having to start anew elsewhere. Normative commitment involves a sense of obligation to remain with the organization, often due to social or moral pressures, rather than a deep emotional connection. Job satisfaction, while important, does not intrinsically capture the emotional element of attachment to organizational values. Thus, affective commitment stands out as the type that specifically encompasses a strong emotional attachment to the organization's values.