title: Job and career influences on the career commitment of health care executives: the mediating effect of job satisfaction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While there is considerable evidence supporting the relationship between job satisfaction and organizational commitment, the relationship between the antecedents of job satisfaction, organizational commitment and career commitment are not clearly understood. This study seeks to clarify whether these antecedents have an effect independent of job satisfaction on career commitment or whether these antecedents are mediated by job satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 2,799 questionnaires were mailed out to members of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). The responses received were 643 (22.9 percent) and after eliminating retirees or students, a sample of 456 respondents currently employed in the health care industry was obtained. Path analysis was conducted to test the hypothetical relationships between work situation, career experiences and career commitment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that job satisfaction mediated the influences of job tenure and career pattern on career commitment. Job satisfaction partially mediated the influences of perceived job security and one's satisfaction with career on career commitment. Both of these measures had a direct influence on career commitment. Career experience such as sector change was also positively associated with career commitment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While the research offers some insights into the factors affecting the career commitment of health care executives, the sample was limited to respondents who were members of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and thus may not represent the views of all managers in the health care sector.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To retain high-valued health care workers it is important that an organization has a work environment that enhances their commitment to their occupation as well as their careers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study clarifies the influence of job satisfaction on the career commitment of health care managers during a very dynamic period.
authors.affiliation: School of Policy, Planning, and Development, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. myrtle@usc.edu
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Myrtle
authors.forename: Duan-Rung
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fahey
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006270:Health Facility Administrators / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States