title: The effects of work alienation on organisational commitment, work effort and work-to-family enrichment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of work alienation on organisational commitment, work effort and work-to-family enrichment.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is substantial research on the effects of work alienation on passive job performance, such as organisational commitment. However, studies analysing work alienation on active performance, such as work effort, and outside work, such as work-to-family enrichment, are scarce.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two dimensions of work alienation are considered: powerlessness and meaninglessness. Hypotheses are tested using surveys collected among a national sample of midwives in the Netherlands (respondents: 790, response rate 61%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  the findings indicate that work alienation (powerlessness and meaninglessness) influence organisational commitment, work effort and--to a lesser extent--work-to-family enrichment. High work meaninglessness, in particular, has negative effects on these outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When people feel that they have no influence in their work (hence, when they feel 'powerless') and especially when the feel that their work is not worthwhile (when they feel 'meaningless') this has substantial negative effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Managers should increase the meaningfulness that people attach to their work, thereby maintaining a high-quality workforce. Possible strategies include: (1) improving person-job fit, (2) developing high-quality relationships, (3) better communicating the results people help to deliver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Administration, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lars G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Tummers
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Den Dulk
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008880:Midwifery / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009718:Nurse Administrators; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012044:Regression Analysis
keywords: autonomy; meaningful work; organisational commitment; work alienation; work effort; work-family