Skip to main content
Log in

Workplace Values and Outcomes: Exploring Personal, Organizational, and Interactive Workplace Spirituality

  • Published:
Journal of Business Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Spiritual values in the workplace, increasingly discussed and applied in the business ethics literature, can be viewed from an individual, organizational, or interactive perspective. The following study examined previously unexplored workplace spirituality outcomes. Using data collected from five samples consisting of full-time workers taking graduate coursework, results indicated that perceptions of organizational-level spirituality (“organizational spirituality”) appear to matter most to attitudinal and attachment-related outcomes. Specifically, organizational spirituality was found to be positively related to job involvement, organizational identification, and work rewards satisfaction, and negatively related to organizational frustration. Personal spirituality was positively related to intrinsic, extrinsic, and total work rewards satisfaction. The interaction of personal spirituality and organizational spirituality was found related to total work rewards satisfaction. Future workplace spirituality research directions are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrams D., K. Ando, S. Hinkle: 1998, Psychological Attachment to the Group: Cross Cultural Differences in Organizational Identification and Subjective Norms as Predictors of Workers’ Turnover Intentions. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 24(10), 1027–1040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adams J. S.: 1963, Toward an Understanding of Inequity. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology 67, 422–436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adams J. S.: 1965, Inequity in Social Exchange. In L. Berkowitz (ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, Vol. 2 (Academic Press, New York), pp. 267–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allport G.: 1943, The Ego in Contemporary Psychology. Psychological Review 50, 451–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashforth B. E., F. Mael: 1989, Social Identity Theory and the Organization. Academy of Management Review 14(1), 20–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balazas A. L.: 1990, Value Congruency: The Case of the Socially Responsible Firm. Journal of Business Research 20, 171–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bass B.: 1965, Organizational Psychology (Allyn & Bacon, Boston).

    Google Scholar 

  • Beekun R. I., J. A. Badawi: 2005, Balancing Ethical Responsibility Among Multiple Organizational Stakeholders: The Islamic Perspective. Journal of Business Ethics 60, 131–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belaire C., J. S. Young: 2000, Influences of Spirituality on Counselor Selection. Counseling and Values 44, 189–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennis W.: 2001, Become a Tomorrow Leader. In L.C. Spears, M. Lawrence (eds.), Focus on Leadership: Servant-Leadership for the 21st Century (John Wiley, New York), pp. 101–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Blau G. J.: 1985, A Multiple Study Investigation of the Dimensionality of Job Involvement. Journal of Vocational Behavior 27, 19–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blau G. J., K. B. Boal: 1987, Conceptualizing How Job Involvement and Organizational Commitment Affect Turnover and Absenteeism. Academy of Management Review 12, 288–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cable D. M., D. S. DuRue: 2002, The Convergent and Discriminant Validity of Subjective Fit Perceptions. Journal of Applied Psychology 87(5), 875–884

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cable, D. M. and T. A. Judge: 1997, ‹Interviewers' Perceptions of Person-Organization Fit and Organizational Selection Decisions’, Journal of Applied Psychology 82, 546–561

    Google Scholar 

  • Cammann C., M. Fichman G. D. Jenkins J. Klesh: 1983, Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire. In S. E. Seashore E. E. Lawler P. H. Mirvis C. Cammann (eds.), Assessing Organizational Change: A Guide to Methods, Measures, and Practices (Wiley-Interscience, New York), pp. 71–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Caplan R. D., R. V. Harrison: 1993, Person-Environment Fit Theory: Some History, Recent Developments, and Future Directions. Journal of Social Issues 49, 253–276

    Google Scholar 

  • Cash K. C., G. R. Gray, S. A. Rood: 2000, A Framework for Accommodating Religion and Spirituality in the Workplace. Academy of Management Executive 14, 124–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavanagh G. F., M. R. Bandsuch: 2002, Virtue as a Benchmark for Spirituality in Business. Journal of Business Ethics 38, 109–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavanaugh G.: 1999, Spirituality for Managers: Context and critique. Journal of Organizational Change Management 12(3), 186–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandler C., J. M. Holden, C. Kolander: 1992, Counseling for Spiritual Wellness: Theory and Practice. Journal of Counseling and Development 71(2), 168–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Crumbaugh J.: 1968, Cross-Validation of Purpose in Life Test. Journal of Individual Psychology 24, 74–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Crumbaugh J. C., L. T. Maholick: 1964, An Experimental Study in Existentialism: The Psychometric Approach to Frankl’s Concept of Noogenic Neurosis. Journal of Clinical Psychology 20, 200–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deal T., A. Kennedy: 1982, Corporate Cultures (Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA).

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener E.: 1984, Subjective Well-being. Psychological Bulletin 95, 542–575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Efraty D., M. J. Sirgy, C. B. Claiborne: 1991, The Effects of Personal Alienation on Organizational Identification: A Quality-of-Life Model. Journal of Business and Psychology, 6(Fall), 57–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellison C. W.: 1983, Spiritual Well-being: Conceptualization and Measurement. Journal of Psychology and Theology 11, 330–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmons R.: 1999, The Psychology of Ultimate Concerns: Motivation and Spirituality in Personality (Guildford Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Enz C. A., C. R. Schwenk: 1991, The Performance Edge: Strategic and Value Dissensus. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal 4, 75–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox S., P. E. Spector: 1999, A Model of Work Frustration-Aggression. Journal of Organizational Behavior 20(6), 915–931

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • French J. R. P., R. L. Kahn: 1962, A Programmatic Approach to Studying the Industrial Environment and Mental Health. Journal of Social Issues 18, 1–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fry L. W.: 2003, Toward a Theory of Spiritual Leadership. The Leadership Quarterly 14, 693–727.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giacalone R. A.: 2004, A Transcendent Business Education for the 21st Century. Academy of Management Learning and Education 3, 415–420

    Google Scholar 

  • Giacalone R. A., C. L. Jurkiewicz: 2003, Toward a Science of Workplace Spirituality, In R. A. Giacalone, C. L. Jurkiewicz (eds.), Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Performance (M.E. Sharpe Publishers, Armonk, NY), pp. 3–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomez-Mejia L. R.: 1984, Effect of Occupation of Task-Related, Contextual, and Job Involvement Orientation: A Cross-Cultural Perspective, Academy of Management Journal 27(4), 706–720

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenleaf R. K.: 1977, Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness (Paulist Press, New York)

    Google Scholar 

  • Greider W.: 2003, The Soul of Capitalism: Opening Paths to a Moral Economy (Simon & Schuster, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Herman J. B.: 1973, Are Situational Contingencies Limiting Job Attitude-Job Performance Relationships? Organizational Behavior and Human Performance 10, 208–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huselid M. A., N. E. Day: 1991, Organizational Commitment, Job Involvement, and Turnover: A Substantive and Methodological Analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology 76(3), 380–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inglehart R.: 1997, Modernization and Postmodernization: Cultural, Economic and Political Change in 43 Societies (Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey)

    Google Scholar 

  • Judge T. A., C. J. Thoresen, J. E. Bono, G. K. Patton: 2001, The Job Satisfaction-Job Performance Relationship: A Qualitative and Quantitative Review. Psychological Bulletin 127, 376–407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jurkiewicz C. L., R. A. Giacalone: 2004, A Values Framework for Measuring the Impact of Workplace Spirituality on Organizational Performance. Journal of Business Ethics 49, 129–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khandwalla P. N.: 1998, Thorny Glory: Toward Organizational Greatness, In S. Srivastva, D. L. Cooperrider (eds.), Organizational Wisdom and Executive Courage (The New Lexington Press, San Francisco) pp. 157–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim M. J., G. K. McFarland A. M. McLane: 1987, Pocket Guide to Nursing Diagnoses (Mosby, St. Louis, MO).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolodinsky R. W., M. G. Bowen, G. R. Ferris: 2003, Embracing Workplace Spirituality and Managing Organizational Politics: Servant Leadership and Political Skill for Volatile Times, In R. A. Giacalone, C. L. Jurkiewicz (eds.), Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Performance (M.E. Sharpe Publishers, Armonk, NY), pp. 164–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristiansen C. M., M. P. Zanna: 1994, The Rhetorical Use of Values to Justify Social and Intergroup Attitudes. Journal of Social Issues 50, 47–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Laabs J.: 1996, Downshifters. Personnel Journal March, 62–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawler E. E.: 1994, Motivation in Work Organizations (Jossey-Bass, San Francisco).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee D., M. J. Sirgy, D. Efraty, P. Siegel: 2003, A Study of Quality of Work Life (QWL), Spiritual Well-Being, and Life Satisfaction, In R. A. Giacalone, C. L. Jurkiewicz (eds.), Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Performance (M.E. Sharpe Publishers, Armonk, NY), pp. 209–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lennick D., F. Kiel: 2005, Moral Intelligence: Enhancing Business Performance and Leadership Success (Wharton Business Press, Upper Saddle River, NJ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Liedtka, J. M.: 1989, ‹Value Congruence: The Interplay of Individual and Organizational Value Systems’, Journal of Business Ethics 8, 805–815

    Google Scholar 

  • Lodahl T. M., M. Kejner: 1965, The Definition and Measure of Job Involvement. Journal of Applied Psychology 49, 24–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lykken D. T.: 1968, Statistical Significance in Psychological Research. Psychological Bulletin 70, 151–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meglino B., E. Ravlin, D. Adkins: 1989, A Work Values Approach to Corporate Culture: A Field Test of the Value Congruence Process and its Relationship to Individual Outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology 74(3), 424–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitroff I., E. Denton: 1999, A Study of Spirituality in the Workplace. Sloan Management Review 40(4), 83–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Moberg, D. O.: 1984, ‹Subjective Measures of Spiritual Well-Being’, Review of Religious Research 25, 351–359

  • Mumford M., M. Connelly, W. Helton, J. Van Doorn, H. Osburn: 2002, Alternative Approaches for Measuring Values: Direct and Indirect Assessments in Performance Prediction. Journal of Vocational Behavior 61, 348–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunnally J. C.: 1978, Psychometric Theory, (2nd ed.) (McGraw-Hill, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Reilly C., J. Chatman, D. Caldwell: 1991, People and Organizational Culture: A Profile Comparison Approach to Assessing Person-Organization Fit. Academy of Management Journal 34(3), 487–516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parboteeah K. B., J. B. Cullen: 2003, Ethical Climates and Spirituality: An Exploratory Examination of Theoretical Links, In R. A. Giacalone, C. L. Jurkiewicz (eds.), Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Performance (M.E. Sharpe Publishers, Armonk, NY), pp. 137–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson R. S.: 1994, The Role of Values in Predicting Fairness Judgments and Support of Affirmative Action. Journal of Social Issues 50(4), 95–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfeffer J.: 2003, Business and the Spirit: Management Practices That Sustain Values, In R. A. Giacalone, C. L. Jurkiewicz (eds.), Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Performance (M.E. Sharpe Publishers, Armonk, NY), pp. 29–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner B., W. Schmidt: 1993, Values Congruence and Differences Between the Interplay of Personal and Organizational Value Systems. Journal of Business Ethics 12(5), 341–349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Posner B., J. Kouzes, W. Schmidt: 1985, Shared Values Make a Difference: An Empirical Test of Corporate Culture. Resource Management 24(3), 293–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramlall S.: 2003, Managing Employee Retention as a Strategy for Increasing Organizational Competitiveness. Applied H.R.M. Research 8(2), 63–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rokeach M.: 1973, The Nature of Human Values (Free Press, New York)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sass J.: 2000, Characterizing Organization Spirituality: An Organizational Communication Culture Approach. Communication Studies 51(3), 195–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Schein E. H.: 1985, Organizational Culture and Leadership: A Dynamic View (Jossey-Bass, San Francisco).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schein E. H.: 1999, The Corporate Culture Survival Guide: Sense and Nonsense about Cultural Change (Jossey-Bass, San Francisco).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, B.: 1987, ‹The People Make the Place’, Personnel Psychology 40, 437–453

  • Schwartz M. S.: 2006, God as a Managerial Stakeholder? Journal of Business Ethics 66, 291–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seeman T. E.: 1996, Social Ties and Health: The Benefits of Social Integration. Annals of Epidemiology 6, 442–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheep M. L.: 2006, Nurturing the Whole Person: The Ethics of Workplace Spirituality in a Society of Organizations. Journal of Business Ethics 66, 357–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon H. A.: 1997, Administrative Behavior: A Study of Decision-Making Processes in Administrative Organizations (Free Press, New York)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smidts A., A. Pruyn, C. Van Riel: 2001, The Impact of Employee Communication and Perceived External Prestige on Organizational Identification. Academy of Management Journal 49(5), 1051–1062.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spector P. E.: 1975, Relationships of Organizational Frustration With Reported Behavioral Reactions of Employees. Journal of Applied Psychology 60, 635–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spector P. E.: 1978, Organizational Frustration: A Model and Review of the Literature. Personnel Psychology 31, 815–829

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, E. F. and J. R. Hollenbeck: 1989, ‹Clarifiying Some Controversial Issues Surrounding Statistical Procedures for Detecting Moderator Variables: Empirical Evidence and Related Matters’, Journal of Applied Psychology 74, 3–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Storms P. L., P. E. Spector: 1987, Relationships of Organizational Frustration With Reported Behavioural Reactions: The Moderating Effect of Locus of Control. Journal of Occupational Psychology 60, 227–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward E. D., E. Davis: 1995, The Effect of Benefit Satisfaction on Organizational Commitment. Compensation and Benefits Management 11(3), 35–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheat L. W.: 1991, Development of a Scale for the Measurement of Human Spirituality. Dissertation Abstracts International 52–09A, 3230

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilensky J. L.: 1960, Work, Careers and Social Integration. International Social Science Journal 12, 543–560

    Google Scholar 

  • Zika, S. and K. Chamberlain: 1992, ‹On the Relation Between Meaning in Life and Psychological Well-being’, British Journal of Psychology 83, 133–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Zukav G.: 1989, The Seat of the Soul (Simon & Schuster, New York).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert W. Kolodinsky.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kolodinsky, R.W., Giacalone, R.A. & Jurkiewicz, C.L. Workplace Values and Outcomes: Exploring Personal, Organizational, and Interactive Workplace Spirituality. J Bus Ethics 81, 465–480 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9507-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9507-0

Keywords

Navigation