Spirituality Matters: A Structural Analysis of Workplace Spirituality and its Outcome

Abstract

SMEs world over significantly contributes to employment generation and economic activities. But in SMEs, specifically in Pakistan, employees have a high turnover intention and low morale resulting in low job and organizational performance. Researchers believe that spirituality in the workplace can address these issues. Thus, this study aims to examine the effect of spirituality on job satisfaction, organizational performance, loneliness, and turnover intention. It also examines the mediating roles of loneliness and work values. The study collected a sample of 415 SME employees in Karachi. We found that workplace spirituality positively affects job satisfaction, loneliness, and turnover intention. Our results related to the effect of spirituality on turnover intention and loneliness contradicts the past literature. However, we found that loneliness mediates workplace spirituality and turnover intentions. Our results also support the moderating effect of work values on workplace spirituality and job satisfaction. A lack of social values may promote loneliness and unhappiness at work in SMEs and other business entities. To reduce these feelings, SMEs must develop a conducive spiritual environment.

Keywords

• spirituality
• loneliness
• job satisfaction
• organizational performance
• turnover intentions