The purpose of the current study was to propose a model that explains the relationships among perceived support, affective commitment, normative commitment, work effort, and intention to leave. In addition, the influence of national and individual cultural values of individualism and collectivism on the model fit was also investigated. Finally, the strength of the relationships among the constructs was compared based on individualistic and collectivistic orientations.
The model was tested on 454 American fitness employees and 330 Korean employees. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, multiple-group structural equation modeling and regression analyses. The results from the single-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that the model fit reasonably both in the American and the Korean groups. However, some of the scales were modified due to validity and reliability issues. The constructs of normative commitment and individualism were eliminated. The modified CFA showed a reasonable model fit for the American and the Korean groups. In addition, the single-group structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that the model fit reasonably in both the American and the Korean groups. Multiple-group CFA showed that measurement invariance existed between the American and the Korean groups. Multiple-group SEM revealed that the structural relationships between the constructs in the model were equivalent in both the American and the Korean groups. Finally, regression analyses showed that the moderating effect of collectivism was significant only in the relationship between affective commitment and work effort in the Korean group.
Overall, the findings of the study suggest that the proposed model fit well regardless of the national and/or individual difference in individualistic and collectivistic orientations. This indicates that the influence of perceived support on affective commitment and the impact of affective commitment on work effort and intention to leave are significant regardless of the cultural orientation of individualism and collectivism among fitness club employees.