Factors relating to organizational commitment of older male employees in Japan.

Recently, an increasing number of employers have provided employment opportunities for older adults. Yet, few studies pay attention to older employees' perceptions of their employment. Using a Japanese national sample of 995 male employees aged 55 to 64, this study examined whether the existing research on organizational commitment applies to older employees, whether measures that are unique to older employees have significant relationships to their organizational commitment, and whether the effects of these factors differ by retirement status. The results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed significant relationships between employee organizational commitment and employment security, personal relationships in workplaces and job characteristics. Negative ageism and employer-sponsored programs for older employees also had significant relationships to organizational commitment. The effects of salary, job autonomy, job demands, and employer-sponsored programs differed by retirement status. While the study was consistent with the existing research, it also suggested the importance of measures that are unique to older employees.