| Abstract: | The complex and long-range nature of technological innovation makes commitment particularly important to the R&D organization. Using findings from previous and current research, this paper develops a conceptual framework for understanding commitment in the technology-based organization that may be more precise and meaningful than the traditional, global conceptions. Three general conclusions emerge. First, organizational commitment has positive benefits not only for the organization but also for the individual. Second, given the popularity of the project form of organization in R&D and the deep commitments individuals sometimes make to those projects, some allowance should be made for multi-commitments. Third, one of the most important and least investigated antecedents of organizational commitment is the verbal behavior of the project manager. Some implications of this perspective for future research are presented. |
