nach oben

2019 | Buch

Kapitel lesen Erstes Kapitel lesen

Spirituality, Sustainability, and Success

Concepts and Cases

verfasst von: Christopher G. Beehner

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : Palgrave Studies in Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" , Springer Professional "Technik"

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Über dieses Buch

This book offers a pragmatic approach to the benefits of spirituality and sustainability for both individual and organizational success. It introduces sustainability and workplace spirituality as contemporary solutions to the challenging organizational environment. The first few chapters introduce the fundamentals of spirituality, workplace spirituality, and sustainability. The author then demonstrates how the three qualities are beneficial in achieving personal and business success. Through the combination of synthesized research summaries and case studies of individuals and organizations, this book offers readers a fresh perspective on the importance of spirituality and sustainability to organizational performance.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

1. Introduction: The Nexus of Spirituality and Sustainability

Abstract

During the past few decades, the topics of spirituality and sustainability have received considerable interest from both industry and academia, influenced by the increase in corporate scandals and industry-related environmental disasters. In this chapter, spirituality will be examined from a secular perspective, and sustainability from a pragmatic business perspective. The interconnectedness of spirituality and sustainability will be explored within the context of traditional and non-traditional religious doctrine, and contemporary thought. This foundation of the nexus of spirituality and sustainability will provide a foundation upon which the remaining chapters will build, demonstrating that spirituality and sustainability are beneficial for individual and organizational success. The remaining chapter themes and topics will also be summarized.

Christopher G. Beehner

2. Individual Spirituality

Abstract

While scholars have been reluctant to study spirituality, research on spirituality and religiosity increased during the latter decades of the previous century. Popular interest in spirituality has also increased as a result of the rise of secularism, and popular disillusionment with, and declining confidence in, religious institutions. In this chapter, individual spirituality will be examined from a secular perspective. However, the influence of major religions on spirituality is so profound that a summary of the spiritual aspects of each major religion is included. Contemporary spirituality movements, such as alternative spiritualities, occulture, Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS), and Spirituality 2.0, will be explored. The spirituality discourse concludes with an examination of spiritual capital, spiritual intelligence, and the benefits of spirituality at the individual level.

Christopher G. Beehner

3. Workplace Spirituality

Abstract

The exponential growth in interest in workplace spirituality is influenced by many factors, including contemporary post-materialist workers seeking meaning and purpose at work as alternatives to, or in addition to, wealth accumulation as the primary function of work. In this chapter, the scholarly literature on workplace spirituality is summarized, beginning with the development of definition, measurement methods, theory, and framework, followed by the establishment of a valid construct and research on the effects and consequences of workplace spirituality. The relationship between workplace spirituality and religion is also examined. The chapter concludes with an examination of spiritual leadership and spiritual capital within the context of workplace spirituality.

Christopher G. Beehner

4. Sustainability and Sustainable Business

Abstract

While contemporary concern for environmental sustainability can be traced back to Malthus in the eighteenth century, and as far back as Greece in the period of antiquities, sustainability has become a contemporary topic of increasing interest in both academia and industry. Chapter topics include an introduction to the definition, relevance, and history of sustainability. The emerging sustainable business model is compared and contrasted with the traditional business models. While many have argued that capitalism may be the cause of our current environmental state, others argue capitalism is a powerful means to create value while solving our environmental problems. Sustainability is being influenced by several contemporary movements, and future sustainability trends are unfolding, some of which are examined in this chapter.

Christopher G. Beehner

5. Spirituality for Individual Success

Abstract

Concurrent with the increasing interest in spirituality, more employees are seeking avenues for spiritual expression in workplace and career. Career theory is examined as a lens through which spirituality and individual success may be examined. Holistic models are discussed through which spirituality and career development may be examined. Because spirituality can be expressed in entrepreneurial pursuits, whereby individuals seek to incorporate personal morals and values directly into a business venture, spiritual entrepreneurship will also be explored. The chapter concludes with an examination of the personal benefits of spirituality in terms of career, health, and relationships.

Christopher G. Beehner

6. Sustainability for Individual Success

Abstract

While individual sustainability is an important consideration, research examining individual sustainability, and how sustainability initiatives provide personal meaning or fulfillment at the individual level is limited. The focus of this chapter is the examination of how sustainability contributes to individual and career success. Contemporary movements influencing individual sustainability, including simple living or voluntary simplicity, and the tiny house movement will be explored. Career theory will be examined as a lens through which to examine the relationship between sustainability and individual success. Responsible careers, boundaryless careers, and the differentiation between job, career, and calling will be discussed. Various sustainable career opportunities will be explored, and the chapter concludes with a discussion about sustainability leadership and management.

Christopher G. Beehner

7. Workplace Spirituality for Organizational Success

Abstract

In line with the broad, interdisciplinary, and non-religious framework of the text, the business and organizational benefits of workplace spirituality from a secular perspective will be examined in this chapter. The characteristics and development of spiritual organizations, workplace spirituality programs, demonstrated benefits, and methods of implementation will also be explored. Moreover, the potential risks, challenges, and controversies surrounding both spiritual organizations and workplace spirituality will be discussed. Spiritual intelligence is briefly examined because the development of organizational spiritual capabilities is antecedent to the development of successful triple bottom line strategies. Finally, the Spiritual Incorporated Argument (SIA) is introduced as a method of providing intrinsic justification for the incorporation of spirituality into business management.

Christopher G. Beehner

8. Sustainability for Organizational Success

Abstract

While the goal of traditional capitalism is with making money, there is growing concern within and without industry about how that money is made. In this chapter, the business and organizational benefits of sustainability will be examined, along with the risks and costs of sustainability in action. Methods and models of sustainable business implementation will be examined, along with examples of companies that have implemented and benefited from sustainable business strategies. Sustainability is presented from a practical business perspective, transcending environmental and political agendas. Rather than adding cost and additional work, sustainability reduces costs, increases profitability, and introduces innovative opportunities for marketplace differentiation.

Christopher G. Beehner

9. Integrating Spirituality and Sustainability for Individual Success

Abstract

The central theme of this chapter is that the combination of spirituality and sustainability are beneficial for individual success. Because limited research exists concerning the relationships among sustainability, spirituality, and individual success, much of the focus of this chapter will be with the development of an argument for, and a conceptual framework from which to examine the proposed relationship of these constructs. Spiritual and sustainable lifestyles, such as voluntary simplicity and flourishing, and corresponding benefits will be examined. Systems thinking, the Holistic Model of Wellness, Vocational Souljourn, and the complexity theory are introduced as frameworks through which to understand the individual-level benefits of combined spirituality and sustainability. Spiritual intelligence, sustainable leadership, ecospirituality, and ecologism are discussed within the context of individual spirituality, sustainability, and success.

Christopher G. Beehner

10. Integrating Workplace Spirituality and Sustainability for Organizational Success

Abstract

The central theme of this chapter is that the combination of spirituality and sustainability are beneficial for organizational success. Because limited research exists concerning the relationships among sustainability, spirituality and organizational success, much of the focus of this chapter will be on the development of an argument for, and a conceptual framework from which to examine the proposed relationship of these constructs. Systems thinking, the Quadruple Bottom Line for Sustainability, and Man-Environment-Organism (M-E-O) are introduced as frameworks through which to understand the proposed relationship. Flourishing, conscious capitalism and spiritual entrepreneurship are introduced within the context of the chapter theme. The chapter concludes with an examination of Laloux’s proposed model of organizational evolution, and the emerging evolutionary “teal” organization.

Christopher G. Beehner

11. The Synthesis of Spirituality and Sustainability for Success

Abstract

In this concluding chapter, I summarize the key principles of the preceding chapters, as well as identify future recommendations, trends, and applications relevant to the application of spirituality and sustainability for success at both the individual and organizational levels. The social, political, economic, and environmental challenges faced by mankind may benefit from contemporary alternatives to existing systems and models such as the circular economy and Spirituality 2.0. Future research suggestions are included to reinforce (or refute) the propositions that spirituality and sustainability, when combined, produce both individual and organizational success.

Christopher G. Beehner

Backmatter

Titel: Spirituality, Sustainability, and Success
verfasst von: Christopher G. Beehner
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-77806-8
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-77805-1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77806-8