Learning to Commit During Crisis: Predicting Employee Commitment from Organizational Learning Culture in a COVID-19 Context

This study investigates the role of organizational learning culture in shaping employee commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, survey data were collected from 430 public-sector employees in a U.S. information technology agency. The study employed the Dimensions of the Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ-A) and the Three Component Model of Commitment to measure perceived learning culture and affective, normative, and continuance commitment. Regression analysis revealed that learning culture significantly predicted higher affective and normative commitment and lower continuance commitment. These findings suggest that during global crises, a strong learning culture fosters emotional attachment and moral obligation to stay, while reducing calculative or fear-based retention. The results highlight the importance of cultivating resilient, learning-oriented organizations that support employee engagement in virtual and disrupted environments. The study offers practical insights for crisis leadership, digital transformation, and organizational policy, contributing to the broader understanding of workforce commitment under stress.