How employees’ motivated needs relate to employees’ personal and workplace spirituality

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper was to examine the interrelationships between Maslow’s motivated needs in relation to employees’ personal and workplace spirituality experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression analysis using a cross-sectional, convenience sampling approach of 158 US employees responding to survey questions using a Qualtrics survey related to their demographics, motivated needs, daily spirituality experiences, workplace spirituality, work spirituality experiences and work-related flow.

Findings

Correlation analyses provided support for Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in relation to employees’ daily spiritual experiences, workplace spirituality, work spirituality experiences and work-related flow. Regression analyses also identified the specific Maslow needs that served as predictive factors in relation to employees’ personal and workplace spirituality. Findings and conclusions are also discussed in relation to employees and organizations.

Practical implications

Currently, there are no correlation studies that have examined workplace spirituality as an ethical behavior in the workplace and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This correlation gap is notable because further examination of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a theoretical framework in relation to employees’ spirituality can be particularly valuable for contemporary work settings. Consider that today’s work environment is faced with dynamic and unique factors, and each of these factors not only changes the work environment but also they significantly drive or minimize employee motivation. Three such factors include new generations of employees with unique values entering the workforce and the great resignation and quiet quitting.

Social implications

The study identifies that Maslow’s belonging, esteem and self-transcendence are related positively to employees’ spiritual experiences in the workplace. When these needs are fulfilled in the work environment, employees may be more likely to engage in spiritual practices at work, such as participating in yoga, prayer and meditation and in fulfilling one’s motivated needs and spirituality, employees are able to pursue their true purpose in the workplace.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature regarding understanding the value of workplace spirituality as a positive outcome for the employees and organizations.

Citation

Yarbrough, J.W. and Ramos Salazar, L. (2024), "How employees’ motivated needs relate to employees’ personal and workplace spirituality", Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOEPP-03-2024-0139