Theorizing the Dark Side of the Workplace Spirituality Movement

Lips‐Wiersma, Marjolein; Dean, Kathy Lund; Fornaciari, Charles J.

doi:10.1177/1056492609339017

Cited by 131 publications

(124 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Besides the ethical problem of unfulfilled (material) promises (see above), a few researchers have pointed out that the strong corporate socialization might turn MLMs into 'total institutions' (Pratt 2000a, p. 59). In this case, companies colonize every aspect of members' lives: their current relationships, their world-view, and their hopes for their future (see also Groß 2010;Lips-Wiersma et al 2009). …”

Section: Total Institutions: Colonizing Every Aspect Of Distributors'mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of the Distributor Network in the Persistence of Legal and Ethical Problems of Multi-level Marketing Companies

Groß

Vriens

2017

J Bus Ethics

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Multi-level marketing companies (MLMs) such as Amway, Herbalife, or Tupperware differ from most other companies. They market their products and services by means of self-employed distributors who typically work from home, sell products to end consumers, and recruit, motivate, and educate new distributors to do the same. Although the industry's growth seems to illustrate the attractiveness of MLMs, the industry has been facing several legal and ethical problems. In this paper, we focus on these problems and argue that an extended MLM model may help us to understand why such problems continue to occur, despite the countermeasures that have been implemented. By explicating how problems relate to a specific but often overlooked characteristic of MLMs, i.e., the socalled distributor network, we provide an extended understanding of (a) MLMs' mode of operation, (b) the sources of their legal and ethical problems, and (c) the reason that currently implemented and suggested countermeasures may not suffice. Moreover, based on our extended understanding of MLMs and their problems, we propose additional countermeasures.

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Section: Total Institutions: Colonizing Every Aspect Of Distributors'mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of the Distributor Network in the Persistence of Legal and Ethical Problems of Multi-level Marketing Companies

Groß

Vriens

2017

J Bus Ethics

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“…Moreover, and perhaps most importantly, such persons may inspire others towards similar outcomes. While it is true that spirituality can be co-opted in organisations for instrumental purposes (Lips-Wiersma, Dean, & Fornaciari, 2009), the consequences of this unfolding by managers, of this consistent spiritual mindfulness, may also result in a gradual transformation of norms and expectations towards an organisational culture with higher moral virtues such as altruism, integrity and community (Ashmos & Duchon, 2000;Dehler & Welsh, 1994;Lips-Wiersma & Nilakant, 2008).…”

Section: Figure 2: the Process Of Spiritual Mindfulness And Its Relatmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of managers’ spiritual mindfulness on ethical behaviour in organisations

McGhee¹,

Grant²

2015

JSLaM

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Recently, there have been several corporate scandals both in New Zealand and overseas involving unethical management behaviour that caused significant harm to a range of stakeholders. The literature on spirituality and mindfulness posits that each could enhance ethical praxis and management conduct if they were encouraged in organisations. To date, minimal work has been completed bringing these related constructs together and demonstrating how and why they might influence ethical decision-making and behaviour positively. This paper attempts such a combination. As part of a larger study, 14 managers from a variety of organisations were interviewed to determine how their spirituality influenced their ethical behaviour in the workplace. Using stories of real-life critical incidents and thematic analysis, this research found that managers bring a spiritual consciousness that is mindful of themselves, others and their context to their decisions and actions in complex and challenging ethical situations. Moreover, while these managers' spiritual mindfulness was cognisant of the immediate present, they also transcend their environments in ways that often led to enhanced moral praxis and conduct. Conversely, situations in which they failed to be spiritually mindful resulted in feelings of frustration, anxiety and loss. Based on these findings, a model of how spirituality and mindfulness might relate to produce ethical behaviour in organisations is provided. The paper concludes by offering suggestions for future research.

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“…Although I can see some benefits in workplace spirituality, this article is more on the 'dark side of workplace spirituality' (Lips-Wiersma, Dean & Fornaciari 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

�Visionaries � psychiatric wards are full of them�: Religious terms in management literature

Kessler

2017

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Contemporary management literature often makes use of strong religious vocabulary. This article will provide a critical analysis of this practice. It especially analyses the usage of three religious terms in management circles: �vision� � a term omnipresent in leadership literature, �metanoic organisations� � a notion found in books about change management, and �evangelists� � a job title mentioned in job advertisements by companies such as Apple and Microsoft. This phenomenon goes hand in hand with the megatrend �workplace spirituality�, which started in the 1990s. In addition, it can be observed that religious vocabulary has found its way into ordinary current management literature, even if this literature does not show any overt link to spirituality. The article lists some negative side effects of this use, such as confusion of terms, manipulation of people and inappropriate pathos.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: It is important for both Theology and Management Theory to be critical of the use of religious terms in non-religious contexts.

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Theorizing the Dark Side of the Workplace Spirituality Movement

Cited by 131 publications

References 61 publications

The Role of the Distributor Network in the Persistence of Legal and Ethical Problems of Multi-level Marketing Companies

The Role of the Distributor Network in the Persistence of Legal and Ethical Problems of Multi-level Marketing Companies

The influence of managers’ spiritual mindfulness on ethical behaviour in organisations

�Visionaries � psychiatric wards are full of them�: Religious terms in management literature

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