The links between individuals and their employer organization have been a main focus within research on organizational commitment (CO). The present study aimed to characterize the scientific literature analyzing this construct from a process perspective, considering its importance in clarifying conceptual and empirical issues. 39articles reporting longitudinal data on CO, published between 1975 and 2010, were analyzed. In addition to confirming the infrequent use of this research design in the area, the analysis pointed out that: a) a central focus on the identification of its antecedents, more than on changes in commitment patterns over time and their determining factors; b) only a reduced number of studies incorporate context variables. This review results in relevant recommendations for future studies.
organizational commitment; longitudinal studies; contextualizing organizational research
