Spirituality, Meaning in Life, and Work Wellness: A Research Agenda

Abstract

The role of spirituality in the organization is a rapidly growing area of interest in management literature and conferences. This resulted in a call for more scientific inquiry into workplace spirituality. However, progress with empirical research on spirituality in organizations seems to be hampered by a lack of construct clarity. Whilst the construct of workplace spirituality is being clarified, spirituality can be approximated and operationalized through one of its major elements, meaning in life. Much knowledge and insights can be gained in the role and relationships of spirituality in organizations through this approach. One such postulated relationship with spirituality (meaning in life) is wellness. This postulation is based mainly on the results from research studies that consistently show relationships between meaning in life and psychological well‐being. As work is also an element of wellness, potential relationships between meaning in life and various aspects of work wellness are explored and conceptualized. This paper explores work‐wellness from a spiritual framework through the construct of meaning in life by focusing on the contribution that a person's sense of meaning in life can play to improve work‐wellness and wellness in general. A research agenda is developed of postulated relationships of meaning in life with various work wellness related constructs. Thirteen research propositions are proposed to provide direction for the empirical inquiry into workplace spirituality.

Workplace spirituality and job satisfaction

“…These fi ndings indicate the signifi cant and positive role that spirituality plays in a person ' s psychological well-being. This relationship is confi rmed by De Klerk et al (De Klerk, 2005;De Klerk et al, 2006), who indicate how meaning in life relates to almost every aspect of psychological wellbeing. Due to the centrality of work in people ' s lives, meaning in life may be achieved through a person ' s work, thus indicating the value of a person ' s well-being, being enhanced by spirituality in the context of the workplace.…”

“…This focus on tangible outcomes and fi nancial results mean that organizations are becoming increasingly detached from emotional and spiritual concerns or spiritual values (Karakas, 2010). This is troubling, taking into consideration that people spend more time at work than ever before, and often the workplace is regarded as the primary social institution where meaning and purpose in living is found (De Klerk, 2005). These changing conditions have left many workers with a need for connectedness, meaning, purpose, and hope, which is at an all-time high (Kolodinsky et al 2008).…”

“…According to De Klerk (2005), research on workplace spirituality should specifi cally inquire into the relationship between spirituality and wellness-related concepts such as intrinsic motivation, work satisfaction, work involvement, and job involvement. Riasudeen and Prabavathy (2011) confi rm this proposition by stating that there is a need to empirically investigate workplace spirituality, and to establish whether the construct is related to employee attitudes.…”

“…Workers have become demoralized, alienated and unable to cope with the compartmentalized nature of their work and non-work lives. The community structures given to employees formerly provided them with a source of meaning, but are now viewed by some as less relevant (De Klerk, 2005). In order to achieve meaning in life (and therefore in the individual ' s working life), it seems necessary for organizations to introduce spirituality into the workplace.…”

Sentido de Vida, Bem-Estar Psicológico e Qualidade de Vida em Professores Escolares

“…Another important aspect that needs to be taken into account in occupational studies is the fact that subjects with higher MIL rates tend to show higher levels of well-being at work and greater professional commitment (De Klerk, 2005). In addition, as a protective resource, MIL supports the appropriate use of coping and stress management resources, protecting subjects against negative events and feelings experienced at work (Bonebright, Clay, & Ankenmann, 2000;Mascaro & Rosen, 2006).…”