Bibliometric Study on Spirituality in Organizations: An Overview of the Field

Abstract

Research Aim: ?is article carries out a bibliometric study on the topic Spirituality in Organizations of all articles in Web ofScience until 2021.?eoretical Framework: Quantitative bibliometric analysis of the published literature on spirituality in organizations.Methodology: Based on a theoretical survey supported by the bibliometrics technique, we delve into the main authors and journalsin the area and provide some suggestions for future development.Results: Among the themes interwoven with spirituality in organizations, some worth highlighting are leadership, the workenvironment, individual and organizational values, and performance. Spirituality should not be reduced to economic and financialissues, since its nature goes beyond material aspects. Although the topic of spirituality arose in the 1920s, there are still majorchallenges in the field. In light of the rapid changes in the world, whether in terms of technology, public health, or the pandemic, therewards from a spiritual attitude seem to surpass its drawbacks. Furthermore, despite the close connection between spirituality andreligion, the former is not restricted to the latter. ?ere is a richer field of potential development, especially within the willingnessto achieve individual and collective well-being, that positively impacts employee performance. ?is concept seems to be in linewith the ultimate goal of modern organizational management.Originality: Spirituality in organizations is still a relatively new topic in management literature, as this article shows. Fewbibliometric studies were conducted on the subject, which makes this article original in its objective. In addition, it contributes tothe discussion of spirituality in the organizational context by breaking away from the instrumental view of spirituality as a meansto improve organizational performance; by conceptualizing the individual as a holistic being in order to overcome the dualisticapproach to the mind-body relation; by understanding the workplace not only as a place for the body; and by analyzing spiritualityin organizational contexts other than just business.?eoretical and Practical Contributions: Despite the topic’s recent growth, spirituality in organizations still presents greatchallenges due to its inherent nature. A closer look at what has been achieved so far in the field of spirituality in organizationsshows the benefit of learning from the past, as well as reflecting on the future.