Spirituality at work in a changing world: managerial and research implications

Abstract

This paper identifies the seminal works of key theorists in the field of spirituality and traces the development of the key ideas of spirituality at the workplace in relation to their relevance in today's organizational context. We examine how having a healthy orientation towards spirituality at work can lead to desirable individual and organizational outcomes. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the rapidly changing workplace and its future directions by first uncovering the rationale behind the evolution of management thought since the introduction of Taylor's scientific management and then, by examining the various stages of economic development and as well as the assumptions of man at each identified stage. By relating both the evolution of management thoughts with their respective work designs as well as the general economic environment at various stages of development, the stage is set for the introduction of spirituality at the workplace. The benefits and costs of spirituality at work will be discussed and we will derive insightful suggestions on how to manage spirituality at work across culturally diverse and fast changing environments from existing research findings and anecdotal evidences reported by experienced practitioners. Finally, this paper will also discuss implications for research on spirituality at work.

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