Showing papers in "Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion in 2008"

Exploring Entrepreneurship through the Lens of Spirituality

Abstract: A two-stage research project utilizing grounded theory was conducted with 134 entrepreneurs to better understand their motivational factors. Utilizing spiritual concepts, researchers were able to discover a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurs. Initially, three distinct modalities of entrepreneurs were identified, which were expanded into five: ‘Make me Whole,’ ‘Soul Seekers,’ ‘Conflicting Goals,’ ‘Mostly Business’, and ‘Strictly Business’. Respondent comments that represent each of these modalities are presented and indicate various levels of dependency or independency on spiritually-oriented attributes.

Family Firms as Incubators for Spirituality in the Workplace: Factors That Nurture Spiritual Businesses

Abstract: This paper proposes that family firms typically possess specific cultural characteristics that stimulate the development of spirituality in the workplace more than those of non-family firms. We briefly list the trends that have led to a growing appreciation of spirituality in organizations, and provide a description of the characteristics of spiritual businesses. We offer an analysis of the connections between the cultural characteristics of family firms, and the characteristics of spiritual businesses. In the last section we provide the analysis of two different case studies of family firms, the first one as an example of incubator for spirituality in the workplace, and the second one as a clear example of a spiritual business. We propose suggestions for further research.

Making Sense of Workplace Spirituality: Towards a New Methodology

Abstract: The study of workplace spirituality is a relatively new area in the field of organizational theory. Although interest in the topic has grown significantly over the last 10 years, many of the traditional research methods are not well suited to study workplace spirituality at the organizational level. We propose that sensemaking offers a useful heuristic for understanding the process of institutionalizing workplace spirituality, as well as a way to study how and why workplace spirituality initiatives are wholly accepted by some individuals and resisted by others.

Corporate Chaplaincy Programs: An Exploratory Study Relates Corporate Chaplain Activities to Employee Assistance Programs

Abstract: This study is in response to a recent increase in the use of chaplains across corporate America and fills a void in the research literature. It explored the activities of corporate chaplains, identifying the precise functions they perform. Similarities were found between the problems that employees discussed with corporate chaplains and the issues traditionally addressed by employee assistance providers. Differences across industry type, firm size, and contract tenure were also analyzed and are reported. Findings indicate that the majority of problems discussed with corporate chaplains were psychological issues and relationship matters. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Self, Soul and Management Learning: Constructing the Genre of the Spiritualized Manager

Abstract: What form of management is suggested by the increased interest in organizational spirituality and what genre of manager does spiritual learning attempt to construct? The growth of interest in organizational spirituality and its implications for management learning and development are discussed. Various approaches for understanding the self are explored, and a model for organizing these approaches, and the ‘Selves’ they imply, are presented. Burgoyne's (2002) outline of the different styles of learning approaches and the types of ‘Self’ they seek to construct are discussed in an attempt to clarify how spiritual management learning approaches are understood with the aim of clarifying a new, spiritualized form (or genre) of managerial self, which the discourse of organizational spirituality appears to seek.

A Holistic View of Spirituality and Values

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to explore the dimensions and characteristics of values and spirituality in organizations in the Gulen network. This study is based on a qualitative case study of seven selected Gulen organizations and utilizes a triangulation of various qualitative research methods: 32 qualitative interviews, participant observation, multi-sited ethnography and documental analysis. The Gulen network is a unique case of global social innovation based on spirituality in a number of respects. Owing to the principles of diversity, love and dialog, Gulen enjoys voluntary participation of people from different backgrounds, ideologies, nations, classes, races and faiths throughout the world. Gulen network proposes: a) a model of spiritual partnership and networking based on shared passion and idealism, b) a global agenda for interfaith and intercultural love, cooperation, and dialog, c) a multidimensional view of universal values and spirituality in the workplace, d) a unique case revealing insights for integrating management, religion and spirituality.

Artisans, Athletes, Entrepreneurs, and Other Skilled Exemplars of the Way

Abstract: We introduce management and spirituality scholars to the “knack” passages from the c. 4th century B.C.E. text, the Zhuangzi . The knack passages are parables about low status figures, such as wheelwrights, furniture makers and cooks, whose actions offer insights into the spirituality of ordinary work and, we argue, of entrepreneurship. Such non-corporate settings are lesser-studied domains for spirituality. Ancient Chinese writings have been noticed by spirituality and management writers but we call for deeper scholarly textual attention. We seek also to model more attention to the renaissance in scholarship on classical China. More ambitiously, we hope to show that these passages are not only germane but worthy of careful consideration. Our efforts reflect the influence of Slingerland's (2003) study of “effortless action” as a central soteriological goal in ancient China.

Confucianism and its implications for industrial relations in China

Abstract: This study aims to examine the impact of Confucian values on industrial relations in China. The existing literature suggests that these values have a significant influence on industrial relations in China. Authors commonly report that Chinese industrial relations are peculiar and different from those found in some Western counties. Particularly, in China, trade unions and directors of SOEs are not really independent from the State or local governments. In parallel, in private Chinese firms, trade unions are traditionally weakly represented. In this respect, this paper argues that the management-workers relations are still based on Confucian social rules and values rather than on a contract-based system.

An Ideal Type of Spiritually Informed Organizations: a Sociological Model

Abstract: With the insurgence of the spirituality of work phenomenon there is need for an apposite model against which practitioners, researchers and social scientists can empirically study contemporary workplace structures, or even to understand prior types of spiritual organizations. From case studies of a Benedictine monastery and of the Ford Motor Company, the “spiritual-family”, a new ideal type of spiritually informed social structure based on charismatic authority is proposed and compared against Weber's ideal type of bureaucracy. In their purest forms, the spiritual-family elects and Weber's bureaucracy appoints their superiors respectively. A central structural difference between the two is the means for this selection.

The Neuroscience of Spiritual Experience in Organizations

Abstract: This article uses research in brain science to examine spiritual experiences and speculate on their occurrence in the workplace. Neuroscientific data suggest that spiritual experiences are likely to be correlated with specific brain activities, particularly unusual activity within the limbic system. At work these experiences may occur during episodes of powerful concentration on a singular task, and are characterized by feelings of well-being, connection, and temporal and spatial distortion. Research from psychology suggests that spiritual experiences defined in this way may be similar to those described as flow states and may be relevant to the attribution of meaning to occupational tasks. Both spiritual experiences and flow states may be precipitated by ritualized behaviors that encourage the brain conditions associated with simultaneous sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system operation. While individuals need not undergo spiritual experiences in order to appreciate organizational spirituality, s...

A Privileged Conversation

Abstract: Simon Western, PhD works independently and his Company focuses on liberating individuals and teams to discover their ‘freedom to act’. He designs organizational architectures that inspire creativity and encourage leadership to flourish. Lynne Sedgmore CBE is the Chief Executive of the Centre for Excellence in Leadership for the Learning and Skills Sector in the UK. This paper reflects on a coaching relationship that became a ‘privileged conversation’ between a leadership coach and a CEO over a two-year period. It was privileged in the sense of having a profound impact on both parties and on the organization. During the initial contracting both parties were aware of the others spirituality however the focus of the contract was clearly on improving the performance of the leader and the organization. However as the coaching relationship developed, spirituality became more explicit and a powerful aspect of the work. This paper will describe Think Coaching, a new framework that focuses on creating a ‘thinking ...