Workplace Spirituality and Job Performance in Higher Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-150
Author(s):  
Mohammed Aboramadan ◽  
Khalid Abed Dahleez

Building on the social exchange theory, this paper proposes a model of the effects of workplace spirituality on job performance through the mediation effects of work engagement, affective commitment, and organizational trust. This quantitative-based research relies on structural equation modeling as an analysis technique. Data were collected from 207 faculty members working in the Palestinian higher education sector. Significant mediation effects of work engagement, affective commitment, and organizational trust were found in the relationship between workplace spirituality and job performance of academic staff. This research is original in two ways. First, very few studies examine the impact of workplace spirituality on job performance, a variable that has received less attention in the spirituality literature than organizational performance. Second, the study advances the literature on workplace spirituality by examining the concept in a non-Western academic context.

Author(s):  
Rima Bizri ◽  
Marwan Wahbi ◽  
Hussein Al Jardali

PurposeOne of the main challenges of human resource management (HRM) functions is how to leverage an organization's corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices for the improvement of employees' job performance. The rationale is that employees identify with and learn from CSR best practices and try to replicate them in their own capacities on the job, thus elevating levels of performance. This study aims at investigating the impact of organizational CSR practices on employee job performance, in the presence of important job attitudes, namely, affective commitment and work engagement.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed structural equation modeling to analyze data that were collected through a survey of previously validated scales. The survey was distributed using the convenience sampling technique among respondents in the Lebanese banking sector, and 302 useable surveys were collected.FindingsThe structural model confirmed the significant influence of CSR best practices on job performance, in the presence of significant mediation effects of affective commitment and work engagement.Practical implicationsThe effects of organizational CSR could be underscored through a variety of HR initiatives that aim at promoting employees' identification with the organization and its CSR goals, thereby enhancing affective organizational commitment and work engagement. Levels of affective commitment and work engagement could be periodically assessed and enhanced through HR-led programs to facilitate and augment their mediatory effects on job performance.Originality/valueThis study fills a gap in the literature by shedding light on the impact of CSR practices on employees' affective commitment and work engagement within the framework of the social cognitive theory. It highlights the importance of employees' identification with their organization's CSR values and practices, leading to improved job performance, a dynamic that has not been studied in previous research. This study also serves as a point of reference to future studies that will be conducted after the Lebanese banking sector undergoes restructuring, following accusations of corruption and mismanagement.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 16-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruwan Ranasinghe

Each one in eleven jobs in the world are from tourism sector where a well trained, educated and skilled work force is mandetory. Despite the growth in provision of tourism higher education during past 40 years, uncertainties remain about the content and nature of tourism degrees and how these are aligned with tourism industry needs. Substantial evidence is available on designing tourism higher education curriculum but the extent to which tourism higher education meets the industry needs and the job performance of the graduates has not yet been closely investigated. This study aims to identify the impact of tourism education on the job performance of the tourism graduates. Self-administered questionnaire fielded across the Island secured 260 public sector university tourism graduates response. Data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling in Smart-PLS-3. The study found learning outcomes have a moderate positive relationship on job performance. Tourism graduates showed optimistic perception about tourism education in meeting industry requirements. As recommendations tourism curriculum must be well planned and enriched with supplementary practical exposure. Faculty members must provide a great support for the undergraduates in accomplishing their carrier objectives and the learning outcomes. Conducive learning environment should be facilitated to reach learning outcomes smoothly.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Aboramadan ◽  
Belal Albashiti ◽  
Hatem Alharazin ◽  
Khalid Abed Dahleez

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of human resource management (HRM) practices on organizational commitment in Palestinian universities, and to examine the mediating effect of work engagement as a black-box mechanism that defines HRM practices–organizational commitment relationship. Design/methodology/approach The source of the data is from 237 employees (academics and administrative staff) from Palestinian universities. The authors used structural equation modeling to verify the hypotheses. Findings The results reveal that HRM practices have a significant impact on employee organizational commitment in higher education. In addition, work engagement showed a significant mediating effect between performance appraisal and organizational commitment on the one hand, and between rewards and compensation and organizational commitment on the other hand. Practical implications The study suggests university managers to capitalize on HRM practices as vehicle to trigger positive work-related attitudes. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by examining the impact of HRM practices on organizational commitment through the mediation role of work engagement in higher education of a non-western context. The study is one of the few studies that is conducted in the middle east.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Alessandri ◽  
Chiara Consiglio ◽  
Fred Luthans ◽  
Laura Borgogni

Purpose Psychological Capital (PsyCap), consisting of hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism, is a positive state associated with attitudes, behaviors and performance. The purpose of this paper is to investigate a dynamic mediational model posing work engagement as the mediator of the longitudinal relation between PsyCap and job performance. Design/methodology/approach Data came from all white collar employees who responded to this study’s variables (n=420) from a comprehensive data set drawn from a large communications service company over two consecutive years. Job performance was rated at the end of each year by the direct supervisor as part of the organizational appraisal system. Findings Structural equation modeling analysis found that both absolute levels and increases in PsyCap predicted subsequent work engagement increases which in turn predicted job performance increases. Moreover, the mediating role of the changes in work engagement between previous PsyCap and performance change was confirmed over time. Research limitations/implications There is much to gain in conceptualizing the relations among PsyCap, work engagement and job performance as dynamic, rather than static. The results support the conservation of resources theory, in which employees are motivated to acquire, protect and foster their valued (psychological) resources to attain successful performance outcomes, in order to create a gain cycle of resources (Salanova et al., 2010). Moreover, it provide further empirical validation for the idea that processes, like work engagement, are sustained by personal resources, and that these latter exerts mostly an indirect effect on organizational behavior outcomes (Xanthopoulou et al., 2009b). Practical implications These results are important from a practical point of view, because they point to the importance of training interventions aimed at developing and sustaining PsyCap as an important determinant of workers’ motivation and behavior within the organization. Considerable literature offers practical insights and guidelines for developing PsyCap (Luthans et al., 2006, 2015; Luthans and Youssef-Morgan, 2017). Originality/value Despite the demonstrated state-like, dynamic nature of PsyCap, its relationship with performance has mainly been statically analyzed and the role of possible mediating mechanisms largely ignored. This study begins to fill this research gap by investigating the dynamic nature of PsyCap in relation to work engagement and job performance and whether over time engagement mediates the relationship between PsyCap and job performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayashree Sapra ◽  
Khushboo Khosla ◽  
Garima Dungrakoti

PurposeThe impact of workplace spirituality on organizational performance has continued to draw the attention of scholars and practitioners. Despite this enhanced attention, little is known about its the impact on academic performance. Addressing this gap in research, the purpose of this study is to empirically examine the impact of spirituality at workplace on academic performance among private sector higher education faculties in Delhi NCR.Design/methodology/approachThis study outlines the existing literature on workplace spirituality and academic performance and its relationship. The scale created by Petchsawang and Duchon (2009) has been used to measure workplace spirituality, whereas academic performance of faculties was measured by the scale created by Abubakar et al. (2018). Pearson correlation and linear regression have been used to depict the degree of relation and impact of spirituality on academic performance.FindingsThis study provides evidence that by practicing workplace spirituality, the performance of higher education faculties can be positively and significantly impacted. The result reflects that in the presence of compassion, mindfulness, meaningful work and transcendence, the academic organizational performance of higher education institutes is improved as there will be an enhancement in their academic reputation, employability of the graduate students, research work, internationalization, Nobel-prized and field medals, research grant, resources, infrastructure and community services.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study are subject to certain limitations, which can be addressed in future studies. Only four dimensions of workplace spirituality, i.e. compassion, mindfulness, meaningful life and transcendence, are taken into consideration. Also, the impact has only be studied on academic performance of higher education institutions. The results of this study cannot be used in a generalized context as the framework of this study is based on higher education faculties in Delhi NCR.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study would be a roadmap for higher education institutions or their faculties to improve performance with the assistance of spirituality at workplace.Social implicationsRetention of academic personnel is critically necessary so that the excellence of higher education is maintained. It is the need of the hour for these educational institutions to be more focused on improving the teaching staff efficiency. This is made possible through the development of an atmosphere that installs spirituality. The empirical findings of this research will enable academics as well as managers to understand how and to what degree faculties experience spirituality at workplace and its association with different outcomes.Originality/valueIndia's higher education higher education system is the third largest in the world, next to the USA and China. India's higher education system has expanded steadily, and India has over 1,000 universities as of 2020. Workplace spirituality for academicians is under-researched and neglected by organizations. It may further benefit those interested in employment learning.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (9) ◽  
pp. 1901-1917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neuza Ribeiro ◽  
İlhami Yücel ◽  
Daniel Gomes

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of transformational leadership (TL) on employees’ individual performance (IP) through the mediating role of affective commitment (AC). More specifically, it aims to understand how TL relates to employees’ AC, TL relates to employees’ IP, employees’ AC relates to IP and employees’ AC mediates the relationship between TL and employees’ IP.Design/methodology/approachA total of 476 Turkish healthcare professionals participated in this study. The mediation effect of AC in the relationship between TL and employees’ IP was tested by structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results indicate that AC mediates the relationship between TL and employees’ IP. In others words, transformational leaders promote employees’ AC which, in turn, increases their IP.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that organizations should select, develop and invest in leaders who adopt a TL style because they build a climate of admiration, loyalty, respect, participation and involvement for employees which will in turn enhance their commitment and performance.Originality/valueThis study responds to calls for research studies to explore the mediating mechanism in the TL process (Judgeet al., 2006), as the mediation effects explain the conditions in which TL is related to the favorable outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Aboramadan ◽  
Khalid Dahleez ◽  
Mohammed H. Hamad

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of servant leadership on work engagement and affective commitment among academics in higher education. Moreover, the paper highlights the role of job satisfaction as an intervening mechanism among the examined variables. Design/methodology/approach Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to academics working in the Palestinian higher education sector. We used structural equation modelling to examine the hypotheses. Findings A positive relationship was found between servant leadership and affective commitment. The relationship between servant leadership and work engagement is fully mediated by job satisfaction, whereas partial mediation was found between servant leadership and affective commitment. Both work engagement and affective commitment have a positive impact on academics’ job performance. Practical implications The paper provides a fertile ground for higher education managers concerning the role of leadership in stimulating work engagement and organisational commitment among academics. Originality/value First, the paper is one of the few studies that empirically examines servant leadership in higher education using data coming from a non-Western context because most of the servant leadership research is conducted in the Western part of the world (Parris and Peachey, 2013). Second, we empirically provide evidence for the argument that servant leadership is needed in higher education. Third, the paper contributes to the limited body of research on work engagement and commitment in the higher education sector.


Author(s):  
Najmy Haqq Salim ◽  
Dewie Tri Wijayanti ◽  
Andre Dwijanto Witjaksono

Purpose of the study: This study aims to analyze the relationship between the dimensions of workplace spirituality, organizational commitment, and turnover intention in the construction industry in Surabaya, Indonesia. Methodology: This study uses a quantitative approach. This research was conducted on a sample of seventy-four employees in eight companies in the Surabaya Construction Industry. The analysis of research uses the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) - Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis method. Main Findings: The results showed a significant positive effect of meaningful work, a sense of community, alignment with organizational values as working spirituality dimensions​​ on affective commitment. Meanwhile, there is a negative and significant effect of meaningful work, sense of community and alignment with organizational values, and affective commitment on turnover intention. Social implication: The results of this study are expected to provide benefits as a basis for further research in examining the dimensions of workplace spirituality, affective commitment, and return intention and practically as a basis for making other business decisions in reducing turnover intention in the field of corporate human resource management. Novelty/originality of this study: Compared to previous studies examining the impact of working spirituality and organizational commitment partially on turnover intention and more research on the impact of working spirituality on job satisfaction, this study focuses on the analysis of the impact of organizational commitment and working spirituality on turnover intention is still rarely studied.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of transformational and transactional leadership styles on employees’ affective commitment and OCB in NPOs and the role of work engagement as an intervening mechanism. Design/methodology/approach Data was gathered from the responses of 400 employees working in Italian NPOs to an online questionnaire survey. A quantitative analytical research design was implemented and structural equation modeling techniques were used in analyzing the data. Findings The results suggest transformational and transactional leadership have a positive effect on affective commitment and OCB and work engagement mediating role between these variables. Practical implications Therefore organizations would benefit from introducing leadership training programs which focus on the influence that leaders have on employees’ work-related outcomes. Originality/value This paper has an original approach as it adds to the leadership literature by being one of the few studies to examine the impact of transformational and transactional leadership on employees’ attitudes and behaviors in NPOs.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansi Rastogi ◽  
Osman M. Karatepe

PurposeDrawing from work-family enrichment (WFE) model and path-goal theory of motivation, this paper proposes and tests work engagement (WE) as a mediator between informal learning and WFE.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaires measuring informal learning, WE and WFE were filled out by 290 hotel employees in India. The abovementioned linkages were tested via structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings suggest that hotel employees' informal learning fosters their WE and WFE. The findings also reveal that WE partly mediates the impact of informal learning on WFE.Originality/valueMost of employees' learning efforts in the workplace emerge from informal learning. However, there is still limited information whether employees' informal learning activates their WE, which is a timely and significant topic. Importantly, there is a paucity of evidence appertaining to the effect of informal learning on WFE, which is underrepresented in the current literature. Evidence about the mechanism linking informal learning to WFE is also sparse.


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