Workplace spirituality: A tool or a trend?

Abstract

Workplace spirituality is a construct widely discussed over the past few decades and it is a much-disputed inquiry field which is gaining the interest of practitioners and scholars. Some clarifications regarding concepts and definitions are necessary in order to structure and direct the current debate. The aim of this conceptual article is to gain a better understanding regarding the direction in which this field of study is progressing and to put the question on the table namely, whether workplace spirituality is only a new tool to be used in leadership development or is it a trend to be taken seriously? The results showed that this field has potential to further development. This article can be used as foundation for future studies within the knowledge area of practical theology.

An Analysis of Workplace Spirituality Debates

“…In recent times, this realization has brought changes in both management and organization. However, the literature still asks the question whether spirituality in the workplace is only a new tool to be used or an important trend to be paid attention [71]. Friedman and Lobel [28] argue that because people spend so much time at work, the quality of the workplace environment can effectively predict the well-being of the workers.…”

“…Gotsis and Kortezi [33], as Schutte [71] points out, mentions a relationship between spirituality at work and results such as increased commitment to one's goals, productivity and performance at higher levels, reduced absenteeism, increased honesty and trust, increased creativity, increased profits and morale, job satisfaction and intrinsic motivation, and a sense of community with one's colleagues. Groups who encourage spirituality in the organizations experience higher financial success and organizational performance [62].…”

Hotel Employees’ Pro-Environmental Behaviour: Effect of Leadership Behaviour, Institutional Support and Workplace Spirituality

“…Spirituality in the workplace is a multifaceted and complex construct and a single universally acceptable definition of the concept does not exist. It is also called a meaningful workplace [46]. Workplace spirituality (WPS) is not about the recognition and acceptance of a specific belief or religion.…”

The Issues of Spirituality in the Workplace

“…These first approaches to spirituality in the workplace are not without question. Schutte (2016) emphasize that there is a debate on how to mobilize results. Should they be tools for companies and managers to guide their mobilization of employee spirituality at work?…”

“…DiPadova 1998, Cash and Gray 2000, Weaver and Agle 2002a and 2002b). First of all, the quest for transcendence is, as most attempts to define spirituality affirm (Piemont 1999, Giacalone and Jurkiewicz 2003, Gotsis and Kortezi 2008, Schutte 2016, one of the structuring elements of the spiritual process. Moreover, this approach is also systematically defined in the literature as individual and singular (Piedmont 2001).…”