Spiritually inspired creativity in business

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relation of spirituality and creativity in business context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents practical examples of spiritual-based creative business models in different faith traditions (Hinduism, Christianity and Anthroposophy).

Findings

Spirituality and a deep sense of connectedness are essential to enhance creativity and care in business. Spirituality creates free space and openness to allow the future to emerge organically. It creates a distance between the self and the pressures of the market and the routines of business and daily life. This distance is a necessary condition for developing creative, ethical and responsible solutions to the complex challenges around us.

Originality/value

Spiritually inspired creative business models overcome the instrumental rationality and materialistic orientation of today’s business management which produces large scale ecological, social and ethical “ills.” The paper shows that alternative business management practices need a spiritual foundation to be more creative and caring.

Citation

Zsolnai, L. and Illes, K. (2017), "Spiritually inspired creativity in business", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 44 No. 2, pp. 195-205. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-06-2015-0172