In search of a consensual definition of organizational spirituality: A systematic literature review and validation with managers

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The concept of spirituality is gaining popularity in the business world. However, its definition remains a topic of debate within the scientific community due to variations in scope and dimensions depending on the approach used. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to identify the fundamental properties necessary for comprehending Organizational Spirituality (OS). The primary objective is to propose a consensual definition of OS. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review to identify prior approaches that have touched upon the concept of OS. Subsequently, we performed a combinatorial analysis to identify varied levels of comprehension of spirituality in the workplace, and to provide an additional interpretation to the definition of OS by corroborating it with the perspectives of managers. RESULTS: We have identified two levels of spirituality in organizational contexts: the individual level and the organizational level. We thereafter suggested a consensual definition of OS which was confirmed by professionals’ testimonies. CONCLUSIONS: Research on the subject of OS is constrained by the insufficient conceptual development and divergent interpretations in current literature. Objective facts indicate that organizations cannot attain transcendence; however, their spirituality manifests in their vision, goals, and values.