Permanent versus Contingent Workers: Organizational Commitment in Diverse Employment Frameworks in The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria

Abstract

The contemporary workforce is increasingly characterized by a blend of conventional permanent employees and a fast-growing segment of contingent workers. This structural shift requires a serious re-evaluation of how employee loyalty and engagement are cultivated. This paper investigates the disparities in organizational commitment between permanent and contingent workers within diverse employment frameworks in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Drawing on a quantitative analysis of cross-sectional survey data collected from 355 workers, 131 permanent and 224 contingent across these employment frameworks, the study evaluates the core dimensions of organizational commitment. The findings reveal a significant difference in affective commitment as permanent employees exhibit higher levels of affective commitment than contingent employees. Hierarchical multiple regression results further reveal that gender, age, job security and career development are independent predictors of organizational commitment. These findings indicate that the category of employment at IITA profoundly affects employees’ emotional connections to the organization. Career development is the most effective strategy to increase commitment across categories because it signifies organizational investment in the employee, which makes them feel included.
In conclusion, overall commitment did not exhibit significant differences between permanent and contingent workers; permanent employees demonstrated greater affective commitment, with no status disparities in continuance or normative dimensions. It was discovered that Career development is the most effective strategy to increase commitment across categories because it signifies organizational investment and helps workers to foresee a future aligned with the institution’s goal.
It is recommended that the Institute review its contingent workers model with a focus on their career growth path to foster a system that promotes their loyalty and commitment.