Occupational interests are important correlates of career-related behaviors and attitudes. However, the relationships between occupational preferences and attitudes toward the employer organization were not properly investigated. This research investigated the relation between occupational interests and organizational commitment. The six categories of interest described by Holland (realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, conventional) and the three-dimensional model of organizational commitment of Meyer and Allen (affective, normative and instrumental dimensions) were utilized. A sample of 119 men and 74 women, graduated in different areas, ages between 26 and 57 years, employed in private organizations of the south of Brazil, participated in the study. The enterprising interest showed association with a greater affective based commitment. The instrumental commitment showed higher scores in workers with artistic and enterprising interests. It is suggested that personality differences and career values related to occupational interests favor instrumental or affective attitudes towards the employer organization.
Occupational interests; Organizational commitment; Personality
