Benevolent Ethical Climate, Intrinsic Motivation, and Affective Commitment: A Model of Mediation Moderated by Depersonalization

Although affective commitment has been the focus of numerous studies, we know relatively little about certain factors that drive or hinder its progress. In this sense, this study contributes to the knowledge on the subject by establishing a relationship between a benevolent ethical climate and affective commitment, taking into account the mediating effect of intrinsic motivation. Furthermore, we highlight depersonalization as an aspect that can hinder these relationships when it assumes a moderating function. The sample was established through 448 employees of the Colombian electrical sector. The mediating effect was confirmed through a four-step method. The moderated mediation model was examined using SEM structural equations. The results show that a benevolent ethical climate is positively related to affective commitment and that intrinsic motivation is a mediating factor that justifies this relationship. However, depersonalization moderates the mediation between benevolent ethical climate, intrinsic motivation, and affective commitment. Specifically, the positive effect of the benevolent ethical climate on affective commitment is halted when depersonalization is high. The positive relationship between intrinsic motivation and affective commitment is interrupted when depersonalization is medium or high. Finally, as depersonalization progresses, the positive relationship between a benevolent ethical climate and intrinsic motivation is reduced. Therefore, organizations in the Colombian electrical sector must take measures that, in addition to avoiding social isolation, behave as indicators that warn when employees' behaviors change significantly.