Spirituality in the workplace in South Africa: A systematic literature review

• Published in: Koers (Potchefstroom, South Africa) Vol. 89; no. 1; pp. 1 - 14
• Main Authors: de Wet, Tessa, Heyns, Marita, Marais-Opperman, Vasti
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Koers Society of South Africa 21-06-2024; Scriber Editorial Systems
• Subjects: Meaningfulness; organisational spirituality; Philosophy; Religion; South Africa; Spirituality; Systematic literature review; well-being; workplace; well-being; werksplek; betekenisvolheid; meaningfulness; spirituality; spiritualiteit; welstand; Suid-Afrika; organisatoriese spiritualiteit; organisational spirituality; South Africa; workplace; sistematiese literatuurstudie; systematic literature review
• ISSN: 0023-270X; 2304-8557; 2304-8557
• DOI: 10.19108/KOERS.89.1.2590

\r\nBackground:\r\nSpirituality is a multi-dimensional concept that involves a person’s pursuit of well-being through connections with oneself, others, nature, and the transcendent. Spirituality in the workplace encompasses the integration of spirituality into organisational and work dynamics.\r\n\r\nPurpose:\r\nThis systematic literature review sourced and synthesised empirical research evidence to explore the influence and experience of perceived spirituality in the workplace on workers in the South African workplace.\r\n\r\nMethodology:\r\nThe systematic literature review plan was registered on the Open Science Framework. Keyword searches were conducted, and studies were screened following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) process and checklist. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria informed the second screening and review of articles. Thirty-one articles fit the specific criteria for inclusion in the review. Relevant data was extracted using thematic analysis.\r\n\r\nFindings/results:\r\nThe respondents in the various studies spanned public and private sectors, encompassing various professions and ethnicities. The articles reviewed indicated that the perception of spirituality in the workplace manifested in a variety of constructs and concepts, positively influencing and impacting individual, group, and organisational levels. The review indicated that nuanced contextual differences may play a role in the experience of spirituality in the South African workplace.\r\n\r\nPractical implications:\r\nThe literature review suggests potential constructs for understanding workplace spirituality in South Africa, with future research potential for constructing a framework fostering a pluralistic model of spirituality at work.\r\n\r\nOriginality/value:\r\nUnderstanding spirituality in the South African work context could assist in bringing about more productive and healthy organisations. Provided data also forms a basis for developing a potential framework for implementing spirituality in South African organisations.