Employee readiness for change as a mediator of trust and ethical climate in building affective commitment: Evidence from public sector relocation in Indonesia

Abstract

Employee readiness for change has become increasingly important in the context of large-scale organizational transformation, such as the relocation of civil servants to the country’s new capital. This study examines the influence of trust and ethical climate on affective commitment and explores the mediating role of employee readiness for change in these relationships. A quantitative approach was employed, involving 172 civil servants selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS. The results indicate that both trust and ethical climate have a positive and significant effect on affective commitment. Moreover, employee readiness for change serves as a significant mediator in these relationships. These findings highlight that the ability of employees to adapt and prepare for change is crucial for fostering a stronger emotional bond with the organization, especially during institutional relocation. The study offers theoretical contributions to the understanding of how organizational trust and ethical climate can enhance affective commitment through readiness for change. It also provides practical implications for human resource management in the public sector, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a supportive work environment and an adaptive mindset to ensure the success of organizational change initiatives.