The relationship between workplace spirituality and work related attitudes

Abstract

Although workplace spirituality has been investigated over the past 20 years, much remains unknown about this topic. The aim of the current research was to confirm previous research findings and to extend the current limited body of knowledge regarding workplace spirituality, by determining whether a relationship exists between workplace spirituality and various positive work-related attitudes, such as job satisfaction, organisational commitment, job involvement, perceived organisational support, and work engagement. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 412 employees chosen from two organisations in the Free State Province, specifically the Welkom area. The dependent variables, namely workplace spirituality, job satisfaction, organisational commitment, job involvement, perceived organisational support, and work engagement, were measured using a quantitative measuring instrument. Data was analysed by means of descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, including frequencies and measures of central tendencies (in the case of workplace spirituality), and a t-test, a one-way multivariate analysis, a correlation analysis, and a regression analysis (in the case of work engagement). The main finding of this research indicated a positive relationship between workplace spirituality and two of the work-related attitudes measured, namely job satisfaction and job involvement. The variables measured showed statistically significant correlations with many of the sociodemographic variables. In this regard, gender was statistically significantly correlated with work engagement, age with job satisfaction, workplace spirituality, and organisational commitment, tenure with organisational commitment, and qualification with work engagement. These findings have deepened the current understanding of workplace spirituality and positive work-related attitudes. The findings of the study confirmed the significant role that spirituality plays in the context of the workplace.