Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Effectiveness: Exploration of Relationship and Moderators

Abstract

Research on benefits of workplace spirituality is rich in diversity, and has gained traction over the years. However, wider adoption of workplace spirituality initiatives will require sound justification of its ability to improve organizational effectiveness. Assertions about organizational effectiveness being a beneficial outcome of workplace spirituality are predominantly conceptual propositions, or based on narrow perspectives of the construct. Practitioners are under increasing pressure to adopt evidence-based management practices, and must justify investments in development interventions. Based on an eastern perspective of workplace spirituality, this study evaluates the relationship between workplace spirituality and organizational effectiveness as observed among academics in the higher education sector in India. The study establishes empirical evidence of relationship between the two constructs, as well as universality of this relationship across several demographic factors. These outcomes pave the way for wider adoption of workplace spirituality initiatives to improve organizational effectiveness.

Spirituality in the workplace: a systematic review

“…There has been a rapid proliferation of studies on the topic in management research. A concept that once emerged as a fad has transformed into one of the most popular research topics in social sciences (Rathee and Rajain, 2020; Sharma and Singh, 2021). This phenomenal rise in literature may be ascribed to a positive relationship between workplace spirituality (WPS) and profitability (Mitroff and Denton, 1999).…”

“…Since spirituality is an essential part of an individual’s personality (Piedmont, 1999), it is natural for employees to seek the fulfilment of their spiritual needs at their workplace (Sharma and Singh, 2021). The desire to fulfil spiritual needs through work experiences forms the basis of WPS (Sharma and Singh, 2021).…”

“…Research on "workplace spirituality", also referred to as "spirituality at workplace" and "spirit at work", has gained good traction in the past decade (Sharma and Singh, 2021). There has been a rapid proliferation of studies on the topic in management research.…”

“…Often conceptualised as a state of higher awareness furthering a feeling of connectedness with self, others and the divine (Mitroff and Denton, 1999), spiritual transformation occurs when an individual accepts a broadened perspective of life (Tanyi, 2002). Since spirituality is an essential part of an individual's personality (Piedmont, 1999), it is natural for employees to seek the fulfilment of their spiritual needs at their workplace (Sharma and Singh, 2021). The desire to fulfil spiritual needs through work experiences forms the basis of WPS (Sharma and Singh, 2021).…”

The Role of Workplace Spirituality and Workplace Support Determining Work Engagement among Employed Cancer Survivors

“…Following that, based on current research finding, a manager must also recognize that workplace spirituality is an important component of organisational effectiveness that can contribute to organizational development (Sharma & Singh, 2020). Through this relationship, practitioners should be able to strategize to promote workplace spirituality, such as creating cultures and policies that strengthen their employees' spiritual character traits.…”