Spirituality in the workplace: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the extant literature of workplace spirituality (WPS) in a manner that helps us trace its emergence in management practices in the past twelve years and to identify the gaps to be addressed by researchers in near future.Design/methodology/approach A two-step screening process was followed to extract the papers from various databases. The paper reviews one hundred fifty-nine conceptual and empirical articles published in more than fifty journals from 2010 to 2021. Leading databases like EBSCO, Scopus and ProQuest were extensively searched. The papers were analysed and grouped to arrive at the themes and classification criteria.Findings Despite numerous studies and extensive research in the past decade, the construct of WPS lacks a conclusive definition and has overlapping dimensions. It is a multidimensional concept having personal, psychological and social aspects. It is a dominant field in organisational behaviour domain.Research limitations/implications The review explains the multidisciplinary nature of WPS, having roots in organisational behaviour, psychology and theology. Further, the paper provides a clear picture of the present state of literature and enumerates future research avenues which will enable the researchers to further expand the area of WPS.Practical implications The review highlights multiple positive attitudinal outcomes that managers can attain through WPS-related initiatives. Various techniques like prayer breaks, meditation and yoga can be used by the managers for spiritual incorporation process.Originality/value This study acquires significance, for, unlike previous studies, it does not propose that inclusion of WPS will always be gainful, rather it also broaches its potential harm, if incorporated sans due caution. Considering the complexity of spiritual beliefs, it will enable managers to weigh the pros-cons of such inclusion. The research gaps identified in the review will help future researchers in furthering the field of WPS.

Spiritual leadership and corporate social entrepreneurial orientation: the mediating role of workplace spirituality

“…This study reveals that both SL and WS affect corporate SEO. SL can promote positive human values and psychological and spiritual conditions contributing to organisational performance (Singh and Singh, 2022). This study demonstrates how SL and WS can help organisations achieve higher SEO levels, opposing previous contradictory empirical evidence (Oh and Wang, 2020).…”

“…Corporate SEO and its dimensions of service delivery, internalised influence and external LODJ 43,8 representation are consistent with a sense of significance and appropriation in providing quality services, interacting within the firm, and promoting. When an organisation has a robust valuebased culture in which spiritual values are embedded, entrepreneurial behaviour is guided by these values when making strategic decisions, which affect SEO performance (Singh and Singh, 2022).…”

“…This argument contains mutually related principles such as genuine kindness, compassion, perseverance, trust and respect, which favourably contribute to a good company and influence individual attitudes. In conclusion, this process is accomplished when underlying spiritual values in the organisational culture or climate elicit emotional responses to organisational challenges and opportunities, which then translate into extra-role behaviours, such as creative and innovative behaviours that benefit the individual, the team and the organisation (Bayighomog and Arasli, 2022;Singh and Singh, 2022). WS mediates the relationship between SL and corporate SEO.…”

“…Leadership might play a critical dimension in encouraging spirituality in the workplace and organisational outcomes (Krishnakumar et al, 2015). The role of spiritual leadership (SL) in resolving the spiritual diversity challenge is an exciting area for SEO research (Singh and Singh, 2022). SL was first defined by Fry (2003), who defined it as a leadership style that satisfies both the leader's and subordinates' spiritual needs.…”

Aligning working in an organization with teaching yoga: An investigation into personally meaningful work

“…As Rosso et al (2010) have critically acclaimed, the scholarship on meaningful work has been skewed toward Western worldviews, cultural traditions and theories. The call for diving into the rich cultural heritage of spiritual values in the East, including karma and yoga, has recently been renewed for studying meaningful work (Singh and Singh, 2022).…”