Title: The Indirect Effect of Organisational Commitment on Emotional Exhaustion Through Discretionary Effort
Authors: Terence Kwong
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Pages: 45-52
Publication Date: 2026/07/28
Abstract:
This study examines the relationship between affective organisational commitment and emotional exhaustion, with discretionary effort as a mediating mechanism. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory and Conservation of Resources Theory, it investigates whether commitment is associated with employee wellbeing both directly and indirectly through behavioural resource expenditure. Using secondary data from the UK Skills and Employment Survey 2024 (N = 4,612), survey-weighted regression and mediation analyses were conducted. Results indicate that organisational commitment is negatively associated with emotional exhaustion and positively associated with discretionary effort. Discretionary effort is positively associated with emotional exhaustion and significantly mediates the commitment-exhaustion relationship. While commitment directly reduces emotional exhaustion, it also exerts a positive indirect effect via increased discretionary effort. These findings suggest that organisations should promote affective commitment while ensuring that expectations surrounding discretionary effort are managed to protect employee wellbeing and support sustainable work practices.