ABSTRACT
As the population ages, NGO-organized time banking programs have emerged as community service systems that support older adults but face sustainability challenges. To enhance organizational success and long-term viability of these NGO initiatives, it is crucial to foster strong relationships and commitment behaviors between participants and organizers. Drawing on person-environment fit theory and relational cohesion theory, this mixed methods research examines how individual-task fit and individual-organization fit influence commitment behaviors through the relational cohesion process. Partial least squares structural equation modeling analyzed data from a longitudinal survey of 152 participants. Results highlight the critical role of both fit types and frequent exchanges in building cohesive relationships via positive emotions and uncertainty reduction, which in turn drive commitment behaviors essential for organizational success. A subsequent qualitative study confirmed these results and provided deeper insights into how commitment develops through relational cohesion, supporting the sustainability and effectiveness of time banking programs.