The spiritual worker: An examination of the ripple effect that enhances quality of life in‐ and outside the work environment

Abstract

Purpose

To describe ways in which non‐managerial workers could contribute toward establishing spirituality at work.

Design/methodology/approach

The subject scope is spirituality at work. The methods are literature review, and two qualitative (phenomenological) studies. The approach to the topic is defining the phenomenon; examining internal, integrated and external drivers; presentation of the ripple effect.

Findings

Finds that spirituality at work is an inside‐out approach; workers at different levels can help establish spirit at work. Some workplaces are just not susceptible toward a spiritual mindset.

Research limitations/implications

The studies reviewed, although in‐depth, applied to a small sample, which makes generalization riskier. Although interrater reliability was successfully applied in the first phenomenological study, there may be some bias in this approach, because the researcher is the instrument. Suggestions for future research: applying a quantitative study on a broader sample of workers in diverse work environments to detect their opinion about how they could establish spirit at work; elaborating on possible linkages between workers' emotional intelligence and the establishment of spirituality at work.

Practical implications

That workers may reflect on the various aspects of the ripple effect and actually try with enhanced energy to apply this approach.

Originality/value

The viewpoint of spirituality at work, established by workers at non‐managerial levels is new. This paper is valuable for all members of the corporate world, particularly those who consider workplace spirituality only possible with management involvement.

Citation

Marques, J.F. (2006), "The spiritual worker: An examination of the ripple effect that enhances quality of life in‐ and outside the work environment", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 25 No. 9, pp. 884-895. https://doi.org/10.1108/02621710610692089