Showing papers in "Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion in 2016"

The what, why, and how of spirituality in the workplace revisited: a 14-year update and extension

Abstract: Over the past two decades, conceptual and empirical research on the concept of workplace spirituality has increased and expanded significantly. An early and influential article by Krishnakumar and Neck (2002, Journal of Managerial Psychology 17 (3): 153–164) helped provide direction and structure to the nascent field of workplace spirituality by examining the “what” – the definitions and meanings of multiple views of workplace spirituality, the “why” – the potential benefits for organizations from encouraging such differing views of workplace spirituality among their members, and the “how” – the ways in which spirituality may be encouraged or implemented within organizations. The current paper provides a retrospective update and extension of the Krishnakumar and Neck (2002) “what, why, and how” framework and “spiritual freedom” model. More specifically, the paper reviews the development and expansion of the workplace spirituality literature over the past decade and a half and considers the potenti...

Spiritual leadership and organizational citizenship behavior: relationship with Confucian values

Abstract: Spiritual leadership is achieving universal recognition as an effective tool to measure the interactive relationship between leaders, followers, and organizational performance. However, the construct needs robust investigation of the relationship to positive organizational behaviors in diverse country contexts. This study examined the relationship of spiritual leadership on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) through the well-being of workers and the impact of Korean Confucian values with results fully supporting the relationship of employee well-being on OCBs. Furthermore, Confucian values, operationalized as Confucian mindset, also influenced and partially mediated the relationship between spiritual leadership and OCBs. The results of this study lend support to the enabling influence of spiritual leadership on positive organizational behavior such as OCB. Moreover, the study increases our understanding of the emic manifestations, like Confucian values, of leadership theory in generalizing ...

Self-leadership, spirituality, and entrepreneur performance: a conceptual model

Abstract: This article investigates the value of integrating the constructs of self-leadership and spirituality as a resource for entrepreneurs to handle entrepreneurial demands/stressors. Entrepreneurship requires individuals to use their personal resources as they develop their business ventures. Entrepreneurs face multiple challenges as they start and grow their endeavors. We propose a conceptual model showing how the constructs of spirituality and self-leadership influence each other and have an impact on the thought patterns and self-efficacy of the entrepreneur. In turn, the entrepreneur thought patterns and self-efficacy enable the entrepreneur to more effectively confront demands/stressors and thus improve entrepreneurial firm performance.

Are you happy yet? Entrepreneurs’ subjective well-being

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurs’ subjective well-being and flow, productivity, and intrinsically-based success or extrinsically-based success. Subjective well-being and flow have been studied in educational, health, and work environments; however, only recently has the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2013 examined well-being of entrepreneurs. In entrepreneurs it is particularly important because understanding the relationship between subjective well-being (happiness), and the factors of flow, productivity, and definition of success can influence entrepreneurial decision-making and overall firm performance. A survey of 191 entrepreneurs in Florida and California was used to collect data that was then analyzed using factor analysis, correlation, and regression. Entrepreneurial well-being was shown to increase with the presence of flow, intrinsic definitions of success, and productivity in entrepreneurs. Extrinsic factors that entrepreneurs use to define success, however, were nega...

The impact of workplace spirituality on food service worker turnover intention

Abstract: In 2015, employee turnover was a significant problem in the food service industry. In order to reduce employee turnover, researchers have examined the relationship between workplace spirituality and turnover intention in limited industries and geographic areas. The purpose of this quantitative experimental two group pretest–posttest study was to determine whether the implementation of a workplace spirituality program impacted turnover intention in food service organizations. The sample consisted of 53 employees of a multi-location quick-service restaurant in the state of Florida. An ANCOVA showed that when controlling for pretest, the effect of a workplace spirituality program on turnover intention was not significant (p = .274), suggesting workplace spirituality interventions may not be an appropriate turnover intention mitigation method within the food service industry. The current findings add to the literature suggesting industry differences should be considered when examining the impact of wo...

Cosmology episodes: a reconceptualization

Abstract: A qualitative meta-analysis of 164 citations to the phrase “cosmology episode” was conducted in order to create an evidence-based reconceptualization of the concept, yielding three findings The first finding is the literature has moved towards the study of cosmology episodes at multiple levels: ie individual, team, organizational, community, and national cosmology episodes The second finding is the literature has moved towards the study of cosmology episodes as resilience processes: ie anticipating, sense-losing, improvising, sense-remaking, and renewing The third finding is the literature on cosmology episodes has diversified toward five distinct types: ie catastrophic, disastrous, contextualized, ancillary and metaphorical cosmology episodes Taken together, these findings constitute a reconceptualization of the concept of cosmology episode

Spirituality and Ubuntu as the foundation for building African institutions, organizations and leaders

Abstract: It is widely argued that institutions and organizations are the building blocks of modern societies. However, African nations are characterized by an institutional void and ineffective organization...

Invigorating spiritual engagement: reflections for organisational leaders, managers, and “people-of-faith”

Abstract: In the context of intensifying globalization, and emanating from their responsibilities in large or small businesses, leaders, managers, and people-of-faith must respond to the impacts of increasing competition for resources, jobs, and liveable environments along with everybody else These competitive dynamics exacerbate tensions among individuals, communities, organizations, and nations Such tensions are often given religious attributions Encouragement to express religious influences openly may further exacerbate such tensions Paradoxically perhaps, we advocate for greater engagement with religious diversity as a source of value rather than a driver of divisions Managers must ensure such value is realized We posit that dangerous competitiveness must be transformed to life-sustaining ways of being human We encourage management educator and practitioner participation in conversations at the conceptual level in order to contribute pragmatically to the confluence of faith, hope, and love to achieve org

Toward a further understanding of work as spiritual

Abstract: This article explores work as spiritual, emphasizing Catholic social thought and related religious and spiritual writings with a view toward further understanding of work as spiritual, or integrating the sacred in the secular. The literature suggests that work, whatever its form, can be spiritual. However work is done, when its purpose is either religious by the command of God, or spiritual by the innate being of man serving an individual desire or a connection to the universe, the activity exhibits a basic spiritual nature. Exploring this concept remains in an early and incomplete stage and is the subject of additional research. The expression of work as spiritual appears in religions, belief systems, and secular literature. Modern Catholic social thought expressed in encyclicals which reflect earlier scriptural writings, supports a chain of interest drawn through monotheistic religions, and other religions and belief systems. Further, this linkage of work as spiritual appears in the secular writ...

Divine callings: religious sensemaking in the organizational founding process

Abstract: Organizational scholars have not considered the potential power of religion as a sensemaking tool. Religion scholars have wondered whether religious sensemaking is simply a post hoc justification for behavior, or whether it can shape future actions. In this article, we present mixed methods research that gets at the intersection of these issues. In interviews with founders of religious nonprofit organizations, we find that many frame their founding experiences in religious terms, such as believing that God gave them the idea for their organization or attributing certain founding events to divine intervention. We then examine data from a survey of young religious nonprofits and find that reports of personal religious experiences are more common among primary founders compared to other leaders. We also find that those founders reporting certain religious experiences work more hours in the organization, suggesting that sensemaking strategies could have consequences for individuals’ behavior.

Transcendent work motivation: biblical and secular ontologies

Abstract: Scholars in the field of work motivation have begun to formulate contemporary theories that address the self-transcendent needs of people who work in organizations. However, the core assumptions of these theories derive from a secular sociological paradigm purporting that humans are only motivated to sustain a symbiotic relationship initiated by the larger society. Thus, these theories may not accurately explicate the true essence of transcendent work motivation – TWM (i.e. a spiritually induced process driven by a selfless need to improve the welfare of society). Therefore, based on a conceptual model synthesized from biblical exegesis of the Salvationist views of Christianity, two recent theories on TWM were critiqued. In light of the capriciousness of human nature and the skewed depiction of altruism portrayed by these theories, it was argued that the biblical ontological frame of reference provides a better ethical platform through which future studies on TWM could spring up.

Is there a common understanding of spiritual leader behaviors

Abstract: The goal of this study is to delineate the construct of spiritual leadership and determine which behaviors are unique to spiritual leaders. This study, the first of its kind to take into account the knowledge and opinions of both academic and practitioner subject matter experts, employs a mixed method form of research. The qualitative results from phase one participants influence the quantitative data collected from phase two participants. Given that this is an inductive study, there are no specific hypotheses regarding which behaviors are considered most important to a spiritual leader. A list of 39 behaviors emerge which participants consider essential to a spiritual leader. The results of this study emphasize the importance of examining the opinions of academics as well as practitioners.

Spiritual institutional entrepreneurs: an introduction and examination

Abstract: The business environment has undergone dramatic changes over the past decades that have brought about new expectations within the work environment. Entrepreneurship is one of many areas that has been affected by this shift. In fact, the definition of entrepreneur has evolved beyond the traditional external focus to include an internal organizational perspective known as institutional entrepreneur (IE). IEs initiate structural change within their organizations that transforms the way business is conducted. Current research has demonstrated the importance of workplace spirituality as an element in developing an inclusive organizational culture. In this paper, we draw from the institutional entrepreneurship literature to examine the rise of IEs who champion the development of spiritual workplaces. We call these individuals spiritual institutional entrepreneurs (SIEs). We also present a conceptual model for analyzing the role of SIEs and offer notable executive exemplars who reimagined their organizations thr...

Other-constituency theories and firm governance: is the benefit corporation sufficient?

Abstract: Stakeholder theory creates a core conflict between managers in publicly held corporations and their boards of directors. Benefit corporation legislation recently adopted in 31 states attempts to address this conflict between shareholder primacy doctrine and stakeholder theory. While benefit corporation statutes offer improvement over traditional corporate structure for firms operating according to instrumental stakeholder theory, they do not fully support the ends of normative stakeholder theory or alternative normative other-constituency approaches, such as recently introduced common good models of the firm. Managers choosing to employ normative other-constituency approaches may choose to put benefit corporation regulations to use in the states where these tools are available, but they will continue to be faced with conflicts between benefit corporation structure/governance and applying normative other-constituency approaches on a day-to-day basis in their operations.

Tattvabodha and the hierarchical necessity of Abraham Maslow

Abstract: The problems of modern man may be related with the difficulty in understanding human nature and its motivations. The Vedic text Tattvabodha by Sankaracharya as well as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs help us to better understand human being and its motives. The purpose of this essay is to articulate an approximation between Tattvabodha and the Hierarchy of Needs. The benefits are that such dialog allows a better understanding of each text, separately and jointly. For Sankaracharya, man is constituted by five layers: food, energy, lower mind, higher mind, and happiness. On the other hand, for Maslow, there are eight needs which may be separated into deficit needs and higher needs. The layers related to food and physiological needs are very close, as well as happiness and self-actualization and transcendence needs.

Mississippi missionaries’ workplace spirituality and organizational commitment (1698–1725): a case study

Abstract: The relationship between workplace spirituality and organizational commitment in modern settings is often examined using models focused on personal and organizational performance. Meant for contemporary practices, such tools can enhance understanding of organizations in the historic record, benefiting not only historians but researchers who wish to ameliorate commitment in organizations. Utilizing a recent model focused on workplace spirituality and organizational commitment, this study examines the leadership of the Seminaire de Quebec and the Seminaire des Missions Etrangeres de Paris as well as their secular missionaries assigned to work in villages on the Mississippi River in the early eighteenth century. Analyses demonstrate that the inability to maintain communication, support, and community between leadership and missionaries greatly hampered commitment to the organization and to the Mississippi missions. Only Father Bergier remained strongly committed to his work and the Seminaries due to ...

Spiritual Leadership Development: An Exemplar Protocol

Abstract: The nexus of spirituality and leadership infuses many leadership theories. However, there is a gap in our understanding regarding how organizations integrate spirituality with leadership developmen...

Ethics education of business leaders. Emotional intelligence, virtues, and contemplative learning

Abstract: The book concerns one big issue: How can business schools educate future business leaders to make ethical decisions? This is really a challenge as business schools focus on one-dimensional rational...

Back to the future with spirituality in the workplace: an introduction to an update of the Krishnakumar and Neck 2002 framework and “Spiritual Freedom” model

Abstract: Well over a decade ago, Krishnakumar and Neck (2002) published one of the more impactful articles (in terms of citations) on Spirituality in the workplace. This article helped provide some clarity and structure for the emerging field. In this issue of the Journal of Management, Spirituality and Religion we are delighted to introduce an update and extension of this work. More specifically, this Invited Feature article by Houghton, Neck and Krishnakumar revisits the “What,” “Why”, and “How” of workplace spirituality as was addressed in the original article. It reviews research and theory, including the literature over the last decade since the publication of the original article, providing a summary of workplace spirituality meanings and definitions (“What?”), the potential organizational benefits it offers (“Why?”), and methods for fostering and implementing aspects of spirituality in organizations (“How?”). With a few notable exceptions, such as writings by Robert Greanleaf on Servant Leadership (Greanleaf 1977), prior to the 1990s, little was published in the management literature on workplace spirituality (Manz et al. 2008). Now some 25 years later, the body of work is substantial and continuing to grow. The original Krishnakumar and Neck (2002) article provided an informative snapshot of the emerging field at the approximate halfway point of this 25-year span. Here, the ground Houghton, Neck and Krishnakumar cover includes the three perspectives from the original article – intrinsic origin, religious, and existentialist views. Then they address literature including empirical research and conceptual work that considers potential expanded benefits of workplace spirituality including: intuition and creativity, honesty and trust, personal fulfillment, commitment, organizational performance, and a variety of other potential benefits such as job satisfaction, reduced intention to quit, and organizational citizenship behavior (OCBs). Ultimately, they explore new territory beyond the domain of the original article by addressing potential contributions of several leadership approaches for workplace spirituality. This paper addresses the heart of the publishing domain of the Journal of Management Spirituality and Religion. In a very real sense, it tackles several elusive questions that are essential to mapping the field of workplace spirituality. What do we mean when we discuss workplace spirituality? What are some alternative ways of viewing this continuously emerging field? Why should scholars and practitioners bother with exploring this seemingly soft area with questionable connections to the bottom line in organizations, let alone whether, at least in the minds of some, it is even an appropriate area of consideration for scholarship? How can workplace spirituality be nurtured, fostered, or dare we say “managed”, for organizational and employee benefit, if this is even possible? And in terms of a particularly new distinct contribution of this article, beyond largely updating the original piece by Krishnakumar and Neck (2002), does leadership have a role to play in the (purposeful) unfolding of spirituality in the workplace and if so, what leadership approaches might be most relevant and why? Perhaps more than any of the previous invited feature articles published in JMSR to date, this contribution by Houghton, Neck, and Krishnakumar takes yet another significant step toward helping the young field of workplace spirituality to progress toward greater maturity. In our view, the time is right for stepping back and considering where we have been, where we are, and