Work-oriented communication and organizational commitment among employees of line agencies in Sulu

This study explores the relationship between work-oriented communication and organizational commitment among employees of line agencies in Sulu, a geographically and administratively complex province in the southern Philippines. Recognizing communication as a pivotal driver of public sector performance, particularly in decentralized contexts, the research investigates how task-focused communication—centered on strategic information, vertical interactions, and responsiveness—affects employees’ affective, continuance, and normative commitment to their organizations. Using a descriptive-correlational design, the study surveyed 200 purposively selected employees across ten government agencies in Sulu through a validated questionnaire adapted from Wang (2011). Statistical analyses, including mean comparisons, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation, were employed to assess variations and relationships across demographic variables. Findings revealed that work-oriented communication was generally perceived as “relatively enough” in quality and responsiveness, while organizational commitment was rated between “undecided” and “agree,” with normative commitment showing the highest level. Age and length of service significantly influenced both communication perceptions and commitment levels, whereas gender, educational attainment, and status of appointment did not. Importantly, a moderate positive correlation was found between work-oriented communication dimensions and organizational commitment components. The study concludes that effective, hierarchical, and responsive communication structures enhance employees’ psychological attachment and sense of obligation to their organizations. Recommendations include strengthening communication practices and fostering ethically grounded engagement strategies to elevate public sector performance in underserved regions. The findings contribute to localized public administration discourse and highlight the strategic value of communication in nurturing commitment within culturally distinct and operationally challenged contexts like Sulu.