Role of spiritual intelligence and occupational stress on organizational commitment: Evidence from outsourcing industry

Abstract

As the world passes through uncertainty, researchers contemplate the future of work. While trying times highlight the importance of spiritual intelligence and commitment towards the organization, change brings with it large amounts of stress. Even before the pandemic, a large portion of the working population was moving towards the 'gig' style of working. The freedom of choice and the level of control that the option brought with it, made it a rather attractive option. However, for organizations the question remains on how to instil the same level of commitment in an employee who is not directly linked to the organization. In an attempt to understand the same, the current study looks at the drivers of organizational commitment for employees of the outsourcing industry. Similar to gig employees, these employees remain outside the organization they currently work for. Additionally, they are expected to balance the expectations of the parent and the host organization. The findings of the study suggest that the individual's spiritual intelligence levels and the level of perceived stress in the role would be significant in determining their levels of commitment. These findings are of significance for organizations dealing with outsourced employees and especially for those attempting to create alternate employment opportunities within their organization.