Spiritual expression at work: exploring the active voice of workplace spirituality

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to provide preliminary evidence for a new conceptualization and measure of workplace spirituality labeled spiritual expression at work (SEW). While the extant literature focuses on the fulfillment of workers' spiritual needs, spiritual expression refers to the impact of personal spirituality on the everyday thoughts, behaviors and interactions of employees.Design/methodology/approachA pilot study (n=92) included item generation and an exploratory factor analysis of the five‐item SEW scale (SEWS). The primary validation study (n=348) consisted of: performing a confirmatory factor analysis of the SEWS; comparing the SEWS with other spirituality measures, including two measures of personal spirituality and two measures of values‐based workplace spirituality; psychometrically assessing the convergent, discriminant and predictive validity of the SEWS; and examining the correlations and regression results between the SEWS and the comparison measures.FindingsThe SEWS showed acceptable psychometric properties across both samples, and the results support the convergent, discriminate and predictive validities of the SEW construct.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is subject to the typical limitations of cross‐sectional research. However, meaningful results were obtained across two samples.Practical implicationsThese results suggest workers may express their spirituality regardless of their perceptions of the spiritual nature of the organization. In doing so, personal spirituality may impact important personal and organizational outcomes.Originality/valueThis study moves beyond existing research by showing a new way to assess workplace spirituality.

Scale development: ten main limitations and recommendations to improve future research practices

“…Methodological limitations Cross-sectional methods were the main methodological limitations reported by other studies (e.g., Schlosser and McNaughton 2009;Tombaugh et al 2011). Data collected under a crosssectional study design contains the typical limitation associated with this type of research methodology, namely inability to determine the causal relationship.…”

“…Studies by Negra and Mzoughi (2012) and Tombaugh et al (2011) mentioned the short version of the scale as their main limitation. In both studies, the final version of the new scale included only five items.…”

The what, why, and how of spirituality in the workplace revisited: a 14-year update and extension

“…In one notable exception, Tombaugh and his colleagues (Tombaugh, Mayfield, and Durand 2011) developed the concept of spiritual expression at work, which they define as the impact of personal spirituality on employee behaviors, thoughts, and interactions, a conceptualization somewhat similar to personal fulfillment. Likewise, Braud (2009) discussed the application of transpersonal psychology, which involves a person's sense of identity, psychospiritual growth and development, and personal transformation, as an additional approach for studying workplace spirituality beyond more traditional quantitative and qualitative research methods.…”

“…Since that time and as a result of the development of valid measurement instruments (e.g. Ashmos and Duchon 2000;Kinjerski 2013;Liu and Robertson 2011;Petchsawang and Duchon 2009;Tombaugh, Mayfield, and Durand 2011), the number of empirical studies examining the outcomes of workplace spirituality has increased rapidly. In this section, we review the empirical evidence advanced over the past decade and a half within Krishnakumar and Neck's (2002) original framework of intuition and creativity, honesty and trust, personal fulfillment, commitment, and organizational performance.…”

Hubungan Industrial: Perbandingan Spiritualitas Di Tempat Kerja Dan Efektivitas Organisasi Antara India Dengan Indonesia

“…Namun, beberapa penelitian sinkronis telah ditetapkan spiritualitas tempat kerja dengan perspektif psikologi positif. Dalam studi terbaru yang lain, Tombaugh et al (2011) telah mendefinisikan spiritualitas sebagai dampak dari spiritualitas pribadi pada keyakinan sehari-hari, perilaku dan interaksi karyawan. Terlepas dari beberapa definisi, masalah lain yang berkaitan dengan spiritualitas di tempat kerja adalah perbedaan antara spiritualitas dan agama, yang telah diamati oleh beberapa peneliti.…”