Management Science Letters (Jan 2022)

Does workplace spirituality influence knowledge-sharing behavior and work engagement in work? Trust as a mediator

  • Jawad Khan,
  • Muhammad Usman,
  • Imran Saeed,
  • Amna Ali,
  • Hena Gul Nisar

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2021.8.001
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 51 – 66

Abstract

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Management scholars view workplace spirituality as the main factor behind building trust among employees and playing a pivotal role in enhancing the organization's positive outcomes, i.e., knowledge sharing behavior & work engagement. Underpinning social exchange theory, we explored the linkage between workplace spirituality, knowledge sharing behavior, and work engagement. We further studied to look at the mediating effect of trust between workplace spirituality and positive outcomes. Data was collected from six private companies, the total number of respondents was (n=196). The study's analysis showed that workplace spirituality substantially positively impacts knowledge sharing behavior and work engagement. Furthermore, the link between workplace spirituality, knowledge sharing behavior, and work engagement is positively and statistically significantly mediated by trust. Thus, this work contributes significantly to the research paradigm by presenting workplace spirituality as a solution for high-rise trust among employees, fostering employee engagement in their work, and improving the capacity of knowledge-sharing behavior. Additionally, at the end of this study, theoretical and managerial suggestions, future avenues, and limitations are stated.