The Relationship of Organizational Commitment and Employee Job Satisfaction: A Case of Quick Service Restaurants in the Philippines

Danilo P. Nuñez Jr.; Jayvie O. Guballo

doi:10.56741/jmsd.v4i03.1207

Authors

Danilo P. Nuñez Jr.
danilopnunezjr@iskolarngbayan.pup.edu.ph
Polytechnic University of the Philippines https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7489-8469
Jayvie O. Guballo Polytechnic University of the Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1088-2230

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56741/jmsd.v4i03.1207

Keywords:

Organizational Commitment, Job Satisfaction, Quick Service, Restaurants

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between organizational commitment and job satisfaction among employees in selected quick-service restaurants (QSRs) in the Philippines. Using a descriptive-correlational design, data were collected from 279 frontline employees of Jollibee and McDonald’s across Metro Manila. The Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ) and Job Descriptive Index (JDI) measured various dimensions of commitment and satisfaction. Findings revealed high levels of affective and normative commitment, moderate continuance commitment, and overall high job satisfaction, particularly in career development. A strong positive correlation was found between organizational commitment and job satisfaction, with normative commitment showing the strongest link. No significant differences were observed between local and international QSR brands. These results suggest that emotional and moral factors, more than financial considerations, play a central role in employee satisfaction in the fast-paced food service sector. The study contributes to HR practices by emphasizing the need for purpose-driven work environments and growth opportunities. It concludes that strengthening affective and normative commitment enhances retention and satisfaction. It is recommended that QSRs implement structured recognition programs, leadership development tracks, and internal promotion initiatives to build a more committed workforce. This study is limited by its use of non-probability sampling and focus on Metro Manila, which may affect the generalizability of the results. Practically, these findings guide QSR managers in designing targeted employee engagement and retention strategies. Socially, the study highlights the importance of supporting frontline worker well-being and career growth in high-turnover industries.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Danilo P. Nuñez Jr., Polytechnic University of the Philippines

is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Human Resource Management at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. He was a class valedictorian in high school and a two-time first-place winner in the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) for editorial writing, as well as a Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) qualifier. A consistent President’s Lister, he brings academic excellence together with seven years of corporate experience, giving him practical insight into human resource functions and workplace dynamics. His research interests include organizational behavior, employee engagement, and strategic HR development. (email: danilopnunezjr@iskolarngbayan.pup.edu.ph).

Jayvie O. Guballo, Polytechnic University of the Philippines

is a university lecturer specializing in business research, administration, and human resource management. Before entering academia, he spent nearly eight years as a corporate recruitment manager, gaining experience in industries such as hospitality, oil and gas, engineering, and finance. He holds a BS in Office Administration from Rizal Technological University and both an MBA (Human Resource Management) and DBA from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. He also holds certifications as a Certified Human Resource Professional® (United Kingdom) and Certified Marketing Professional (Australia). (email: joguballo@rtu.edu.ph).

References

Meyer J. P., Allen N. J., "A three-component conceptualization of organizational commitment," Human Resource Management Review, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 61–89, 1991. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/1053-4822(91)90011-Z

Locke E. A., "The nature and causes of job satisfaction," in Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, M. D. Dunnette, Ed., Rand McNally, 1976, pp. 1297–1343.

Loan L. T. T., "The influence of organizational commitment on employees’ job performance: The mediating role of job satisfaction," Management Science Letters, vol. 10, no. 14, pp. 3307–3312, 2020. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2020.5.035. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2020.6.007

Sore J. V., "Influence of job resources on organizational commitment among employees of fast-food restaurants in Mombasa Central Business District, Kenya," Bachelor's thesis, Gretsa University, 2020. Available: https://ir.gretsauniversity.ac.ke/handle/20.500.12736/1979.

Tugade M. A., "Organizational commitment and job satisfaction of employees in a manufacturing firm in Manila," Philippine Social Science Review, vol. 75, no. 2, pp. 210–225, 2023.

Olivar R. G., Galo R., Panis H., Ballesteros M. C. N., "The influence of job characteristics on organizational commitment and job satisfaction of food service employees in Davao City," La Ricerca, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1–30, 2023.

Abdul Aziz A., Mohd Khalid S., Ismail M. N. I., Ahmad N. A., "Motivation and job satisfaction of quick-service restaurant employees in Klang Valley," 2023. Available https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/81690/.

Khor W. M., Lum L. H., Too J. Y., Yap C. M., "A study on factors affecting employee turnover intention among Generation Z in the fast-food industry," Undergraduate thesis, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 2024. Available: http://eprints.utar.edu.my/6704/.

Alserhan H., Al-Adamat A., Al-Adamat O., "The mediating effect of employee happiness on the relationship between quality of work-life and employee intention to quit: A study on fast-food restaurants in Jordan," Management Science Letters, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 933–938, 2020. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2020.10.004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2020.10.004

Teal K., "A fast-food worker’s level of grit, job satisfaction, and employee training satisfaction: The impact of these factors on their intent to remain on the job," Doctoral dissertation, Capella University, 2023. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

Bennett D., "Job satisfaction and organizational commitment among fast food restaurant employees in the Caribbean," International Journal of Education and Management Studies, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 45–48, 2019.

Abun M., Manginsay D., Agustin D., Ballesteros M., "The effect of workplace relationships on job satisfaction of employees: School context," International Journal of Research Studies in Management, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1–15, 2023.

AlKahtani N., Iqbal S., Sohail M., Sheraz F., Jahan S., Anwar B., Haider S., "Impact of employee empowerment on organizational commitment through job satisfaction in four and five stars hotel industry," Management Science Letters, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 813–822, 2021. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2020.10.001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2020.10.022

Abdelhakim A. S., Agwa Y. I., "The effect of corporate social responsibility on job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intention in fast-food restaurants in Egypt," International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 321–340, 2022. Available: https://journals.ekb.eg/article_239778.html. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/ijthm.2022.239778

Gorham J. A., "Employee retention strategies in the quick service restaurant industry," Doctoral dissertation, Walden University, 2021. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

Jiang M., Po S. M., "The effect of human resource practices on employee retention in food manufacturing industry in the Philippines: The moderating role of the work environment," International Journal of Research Studies in Management, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 45–65, 2023.

Reyes J. A., Pineda A. C., Rivera M. V., "Development of millennial employee retention model in Metro Manila’s food service sector," PUP Journal of Management and Development, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 144–160, 2023.

Chico M. D. R., Daculan M., Ambat C. B., "Impact of organizational culture on employee performance in fast food chains in Panabo City," Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 21–31, 2023.

Chan K. Y., Ng W. S., Ooi J. Y., "Exploring employee engagement in McDonald’s Perak: Leadership, rewards, and training," Malaysian Journal of Human Resource Research, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 52–65, 2024.

Cai Cen R. M., Ramos L. J., "Compensation and work environment effects on employee competence and affective commitment," Philippine Journal of Human Resource Development, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 33–42, 2022.

Plata K. M., Alea A. D., Asis C., De Castro O., Patena P. A., Talban S. R., Borbon-Pulhin J. C., "Organizational culture of fast-food restaurants in Batangas City," Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol. 17, no. 1, 2020. Available: https://research.lpubatangas.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/JTHR-2020-004.pdf.

Rodriguez J. M., Palallos L., "IMBENTO-RY: Assessing the role of service crew commitment to inventory counting on inventory management efficiency in quick service restaurant," International Journal of Management Knowledge and Learning, vol. 13, pp. 253–271, 2024. DOI: 10.53615/2232-5697.13.253-271. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53615/2232-5697.13.253-271

Varner C. M., "Evaluation of ethical leadership on job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior in the food and beverage industry," Doctoral dissertation, Northcentral University, 2020. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

Silva C. T., Hakim M. P., Zanetta L. D. A., Pinheiro G. S. D. D., Gemma S. F. B., da Cunha D. T., "Burnout and food safety: Understanding the role of job satisfaction and menu complexity in foodservice," International Journal of Hospitality Management, vol. 92, 2021, Art. no. 102705. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102705. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102705

Smith P. C., Kendall L. M., Hulin C. L., The Measurement of Satisfaction in Work and Retirement: A Strategy for the Study of Attitudes. Chicago, IL: Rand McNally, 1969.