Keywords

organizational culture, spirituality, performance, retention

Abstract

Perhaps the greatest source of unique advantage is an organization’s workforce. Unfortunately, while many managers talk about the importance or their people, they often fail to cultivate a organizational spirit that leverages their people’s creativity, insight and passion. A senior executive at a Fortune 500 company commented on this reality, saying, “People are either the bridge or the barrier.” One of today’s primary leadership challenges is to overcome practices that limit workers’ involvement. The goal is to create a workplace that inspires creativity and contribution. The question becomes, “What practices cultivate a culture that can transform an organization’s workforce into a source of creativity and innovative solutions?” In this article, we empirically analyze a unique data set to address this question. Through values research techniques, a hierarchical values map is developed to explore the relationship between workplace attributes, organizational climate, and personal values. Affirmation, belonging, and competence emerge as critical elements of a people-centered, inspiring organizational culture.

Original Publication Citation

Spirituality and Organizational Culture: Cultivating the ABCs of an Inspiring Workplace, with Amydee Fawcett, Stan Fawcett, Gary Rhoads, and David Whitlark, International Journal of Public Administration, Vol. 31, Issue 4 (March), 2008, 420-438.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2008

Publisher

International Journal of Public Administration

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Finance

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Download

Share

COinS