WORKPLACE SPIRITUALITY’S IMPACT ON THE WORK ENVIRONMENT
How does spirituality in the workplace relate to the bottom line of a business? Recent publications and studies have focused on the relationship between workplace spirituality and organizational performance (Giacalone & Jurkiewicz, 2003). Earlier studies showed a strong correlation between corporate culture/core values and profitability. A Harvard Business School study examined ten companies with strong corporate culture and ten with weak corporate culture, drawn from a list of 200 leading companies. Researchers in this study not only found a dramatic correlation between an organization‘s spiritual culture and its profitability; but, also found that, in some cases, the more spiritual
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Some of the empirical studies provide the clues for relation of organizational performance with variables included in our key construct of spirituality in a work organization. Fortune magazine in its analysis of ‘Best Places to Work’ in the US, though it does not use the word spirituality, writes that these are places where people find a purpose to work other than their pay cheques (Colving 2006). Nur (2003) found in his study that organizations managed by spiritual values (MBV’s) earned better returns within a period of five years. Meta-analysis by Dent et al. (2005) showed the positive association of spirituality with productivity. The effect of spirituality at the workplace can spill over into employees’ home life, marriage, social interaction, and so on, which in turn, positively affects their work performance (Bromet et al. 1990; Jurkiewicz and Giacalone 2004). Marques (2005) suggest that spirituality results in a unified pleasant performance and quality orientation of the workforce which in turn results in excellent output and community orientation. The literature correlating workplace spirituality related factors with performance can be shown to converge into three areas; motivation, commitment and adaptability (Jurkiewicz and Giacalone …show more content…
In the organizations with high levels of workplace spirituality, the employees were more flexible when encountering changes, they would usually not resist new ideas and they could manage the reforms (Salzmann, 1997; Adams et. al, 2003). Therefore, when the environment significantly changes, organizational reform would become regular with workplace spirituality, and the employees would adapt to the changes, which increased organizational efficiency and profits. In addition to the influences of individual positive factors on unit or organization efficacy (Neck & Milliman, 1994; Gawain, 2000; Krishna Kumar & Neck, 2002), many researchers demonstrated that workplace spirituality could enhance the employees’ family life, including their satisfaction with families and marriage, recreation and social activities, and even overall family economy. With the reduction of influences from family factors, work performance would be developed and the individuals thus had better work performance (Emmons,
Culture is a pattern of shared values and assumptions about how things are done within the organizations.” (Kirst-Ashman,
Introduction Most organizations view internal processes as ways of creating profits. In contrast, good companies create structures that use both societal and human values in its decision-making processes. These organizations believe that they have common purpose and strive to produce good and services that improve the lives of users and balance public interest with financial returns (Moss Kanter 2011). They also work to enhance the lives of the people that work for them. Good companies view their employees as their most value asset.
An important theme in the novel Fifth Business by Robertson Davies is materialism vs spiritualism. As defined by Dictionary.com, “Materialism the preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values” (“The Definition of Materialism”1). Spiritualism can also be defined by Dictionary.com as, “The belief or doctrine that the spirits of the dead, surviving after themortal life, can and do communicate with the living, especially througha person (a medium) particularly susceptible to their influence” (“The Definition of Spiritualism”2). This theme is portraying the two different ways that Dunny and Boy have chosen to deal with the guilt
Importance of Morals in Business Over the past decade there are many examples of why morals are important in a business. Without morals, businesses lack ethical and legal decision making. Morals help combat many different legal problems that hurt businesses in the long-term. Therefore, by a business embracing a culture of morality it helps them succeed into the future.
Strong spirituality influence a belief that health and illness is determined by God. Having good health is viewed as being as good luck or being rewarded (Giger & Davidhizar, 2004*), while Illness is viewed as a punishment from God for bad behaviors (Alvarado, 2008). Although, spirituality is a coping mechanism used to maintain or reestablish emotional equilibrium during difficult times, many Mexican Americans may delay seeking or accepting medical interventions, especially when spiritual beliefs or rituals must be strictly observed (Nall & Spielberg, 1967). For this reason, it is crucial for nurses to seek clarification on how religion/spirituality may interfere with care and how this belief can positively or negatively impact health
If employees are not familiar with the company’s goals and what the company is expect from them they won’t be able to perform good. Successful organizational culture requires a team work. Johnson should establish the espoused values of the company. These are the stated values and norms that are preferred by the company (Kreitner, 2013, p.63). Johnson should set the basic assumption which values employees (Kreitner, 2013, p.65).
Throughout the novel-That Eye The Sky, written by Tim Winton, it explores spirituality. The novel uses various first person techniques such as symbolism, imagery and of course characterisation. Morton Flack which is the narrator and the protagonist of the film has a strong connection with spiritualty although he does not fully understand what that is or why he can see and hear things that others can not. It becomes obvious from early in the novel that Ort’s life revolves around his family. The relationship the Flack family has with each other dynamically shifts after Sam ( Ort’s dad) has a terrible car accident.
The Importance of a Company’s Culture The culture of a company is one of the most important and sometimes overlooked factors in an organization. The culture can increase employee engagement and increase productivity which will allow a company to reach its goals, “From productivity and engagement in the organization’s day-to-day, to an employer brand that naturally fuels recruiting efforts, to creating a lasting brand that customers immediately recognize, there’s no escaping it – culture radiates outward into the marketplace” (Straz 2015). The culture can have a great impact on the employees. Employees thrive in a positive working environment and the ability to engage with their managers without fear of retaliation.
Ferguson, D. (2010). Exploring the spirituality of the world religions. London: Continuum. The book reveals the spirituality of world religions with the description of values and practices, which give a deep understanding of the cultural context of every nationality.
Spirituality in Healthcare The Age of Enlightenment shook the foundation of a world reliant on religion and its authority over the populace, who found security in being directed how to think and what to believe. During the period of enlightenment, science and technology quickly gained popularity, convincing the believers of their mind’s capabilities, teaching them to think for themselves, and essentially supplanting the church as the central authority. Where once spirituality performed a substantial role in the overall health of the patient, the practicality of science gave people something tangible to put their faith in and spirituality in healthcare was set aside and forgotten. It was not until recently that researchers began to question and study the importance of spirituality in the healthcare environment, and
When women were given opportunity to participate in the labour market they were still given low wages then man, feminism movement was associated with seeking equal human right and opportunities for women in economic activities. Organizations have now became flexibly people from different races are allowed to exercise their cultures in the work place for example Friday Muslims go to prayer at a certain time and organizations respect that,this is a reflection flexibility. Organizational culture plays a very important role in intergrating employees.the aim of strong cooperate culture is to form strong identification and loyalty within the man organizations objectives and values.the use of culture as management strategy . Corporate culture was put on agenda .according to Thompson & McHugh (2004) “This can be defined as a way in which management mobilize combinations of values, language, rituals and myths and is seen as the key factor in unlocking the commitment and enthusiasm of employees”.
Religious discrimination in workplace entails an employer treating a person specifically a candidate or staff unfairly because of his or her religious beliefs. The Title VII and law protects people who have wholeheartedly held religious, ethical or moral beliefs (Eeoc.gov.). Religious discrimination can also mean treating someone differently because that person is affiliated with an individual of a distinct religion. Religious discrimination in employment, has not vanished.
It includes an organization's unique expectation, experiences and philosophy. Corporate culture is based on written and unwritten rules that have been developed over time. The culture is rooted in an organization's goals, strategies, structure and approaches to labor, customers, investors and the greater community. It affects the ways a company is conducting its business, how they treat their employees and customers. A good corporate culture can increase the organizations productivity and performance.
The key word is “appropriate” culture when determining success or otherwise. I will discuss in terms of my own organisation, Aruba Networks Inc. that was recently acquired by HP. Two polar opposites in some ways in terms of culture, and very similar in others. This gives us an ideal opportunity to compare, contrast and discuss two very differing cultures.
For example, if all the employees of Amazon of always trying to find the mistakes that their peers are doing to report them to their superior and were working together instead, they could put all this unnecessary energy in a focus group to find innovative ideas and to help each others. This type of positive climate could help people staying in the company and not leaving after few months, because the stress encounter at work is too high. The article cited that Amazon had the second-highest turnover among the Fortune 500 companies, with a median tenure of one year, which is really low. [2] The espoused values of the Amazon’s culture are “work hard, have fun and create history”, but the enacted values just seemed to be hard work and success. The Amazon culture can be described as an outcome orientation organization with managers asking for results without excuses.