A research on the career commitment of civil servants and its formation process

Abstract

Abstract: The working pressure of civil servants in China is higher than before, but their welfare treatment is lower. Great changes have taken place in the professional environment of civil servants. The previous research on career commitment mainly focuses on teachers, doctors, nurses and other professional professions, but the research on civil servants is very lack. In addition, previous studies have a great randomness in the selection of variables influencing factors of career commitment. This paper focuses on the influencing factors and generating mechanism of civil servants′ career commitment, which is of great significance for strengthening the stability of civil servants and cultivating the correct career motivation of civil servants in China.
From the perspective of individual dependence, the investment model considers that individual commitment is affected by satisfaction, investment scale and the quantity and quality of alternative choices. It is used to explore the current situation and influencing factors of the career commitment of in-service civil servants. In the process of career commitment formation, individuals compare and weigh the gap between the results and expectations. If the results are higher than or in line with their own expectations, they will show high career satisfaction, which becomes the attraction of the career. Moreover, the individual′s investment in his career has become the gate or obstacle for him to leave this career. The more investment, the more difficult it is for him to make the decision to leave his career. At the same time, the more alternative choices, the more likely an individual is to leave his original career. On this basis, this paper analyzes the impact of career satisfaction, career investment and the perception of alternative job opportunities on career commitment. And based on the role-playing theory and social exchange theory, the leader-member exchange relationship is introduced as a moderating variable to explore its moderating role in the formation process of career commitment.
In the empirical stage, questionnaires are sent out to civil servants in 8 provinces and cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and Guangdong. And the validity rate of the questionnaire reached the general standard. The reliability，validity analysis and common method deviation test of the data were carried out, and the analysis of variance and structural equation model test were carried out by software such as AMOS and SPSS. Through the analysis of 462 valid samples, the structural equation model (SEM) test results show that the investment model can explain the career commitment of civil servants and its formation process. Career satisfaction and career investment have a significant positive impact on career commitment; the perception of alternative job opportunities has a significant negative impact on career commitment; leader-member exchange relationship plays a moderating role in the impact of career investment on career commitment. The impact of career investment on career commitment of individuals with "high quality" leader-member exchange relationship is stronger than that of individuals with "low quality" leader-member exchange relationship.
According to the conclusion of the analysis, combined with the social background and the current situation of the construction of civil servants, this paper puts forward the following countermeasures and suggestions to enhance the career commitment of civil servants. First, increase the stickiness between civil servants and their professions. Second, understand individual needs and improve career satisfaction. Third, establish and improve the performance appraisal system and reward and punishment mechanism. Fourth, improve the leadership ability, and enhance the exchange relationship of leadership members.

Key words: civil servant, career commitment, investment model, leader-member exchange relationship

Wang Ying, Yang Mengyao, Wang Xiaoyu. A research on the career commitment of civil servants and its formation process[J]. Science Research Management, 2021, 42(6): 194-201.

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