Impact of Taqwa (Islamic Piety) on Organizational Commitment in Pakistan: The Role of Happiness

Abstract

The concept of “employee happiness” has received much research attention within the framework of Western values, but the equivalent concept has not been explored in the context of other cultures. The research aims to explore the concept of employee happiness with regard to the commitment to the organization and the dimensions of the Islamic practice of Taqwa (“God’s consciousness”) comprising Islamic spirituality (IS) and Islamic social responsibility (ISR). Previous researches (Maham et al., 2020; Maham & Bhatti, 2019), and (Zandi, Sulaiman, Naysary, et al., 2013) explored the effect of Islamic piety on happiness and commitment respectively, we merged both the individual and organizational effect into a mediation framework. We argue that Islamic spirituality brings Islamic social responsibility jointly called taqwa. This social responsibility brings happiness at an individual level that would ultimately increase organizational commitment. Empirical validity was established by conducting a survey using a close-ended questionnaire. Data were collected among respondents and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structured equation modeling. Results suggested that IS has a significant positive effect on both ISR and happiness. ISR also seems to be affecting happiness positively. However, both IS, and ISR doesn’t seem to affect organizational commitment except for happiness. Hence the results support a positive mediation of ISR, and happiness in IS and organizational commitment relationship. The study is useful for organizations, institutions, and sectors that are under the worst circumstances due to HRM and turnover issues of employees. In the Islamic environment or Muslim countries, the strategic and long-term plans and goals can easily be achieved by adopting the practices and rulings of Islam.