Organizational Engagement: Exploring World View, Psychological Sense of Community, and Organizational Identification Within a Relational Community

Abstract

Professional organizations are defined as relational communities that when operating effectively can facilitate group goals. These organizations, however, must have a membership that is committed to the goals of the organization and properly engaged in its effective operation. One of the major goals of the Community of African Scholars Association (CASA) is to engage in social change processes that will have a positive impact on African communities. This study examined world view, psychological sense of community, organizational identification, perceived organizational engagement, and organizational participation in a sample of students and professionals affiliated with CASA. With perceived organizational engagement used as a necessary, but insufficient, proxy for social change, the study used both qualitative and quantitative methods to accomplish the following objectives: 1) to measure the world view, psychological sense of community (PSOC), and organizational identification in a sample of CASA members; 2) to determine what relationship these variables may have on perceived organizational engagement and organizational participation; and 3) to provide descriptive and informational data useful to CASA's organizational development. Archival data on the organization and focus groups supplemented questionnaires designed to measure the variables of interest. Research findings indicated that CASA participants had "Moderately Afrocentric" world views, however, as measured, world view was not significantly correlated with any variables. PSOC and organizational identification are interrelated psychosocial constructs that if fostered, may enhance organizational engagement. Addressing how goals are approached to achieve social change may be an ideal option for intervention. Empirical and applied research contributions include enriching the world view, PSOC, and organizational identification bodies of literature; expanding notions of "community;" and facilitating CASA's ability to fulfill its social change mission.