Interactive Effects of Workplace Spirituality and Psychological Capital on Employee Negativity

Abstract

This article examined the direct influence of workplace spirituality on employee negativity—organizational cynicism, counterproductive work behaviour and turnover intentions. The proposed framework also examined how psychological capital buffers the relationship between workplace spirituality and employee negativity. The sample of the study included 138 employees, working in different private and public sector organizations in Nepal. Linear regression analyses were employed to test the hypothesized direct relationships and moderated multiple regression analyses were used to test the buffering effect of psychological capital on these relationships. The analysis of data revealed that workplace spirituality negatively influences employees’ cynicism and intent to turnover. Workplace spirituality did not influence counterproductive work behaviour, while psychological capital was found to have buffering effect on the relationship between workplace spirituality and intent to turnover. The negative influence of workplace spirituality on organizational cynicism and intent to turnover suggests that organizations need to create such an environment in the workplace, where employees have feeling of higher level of workplace spirituality, in order to retain their workforce and reduce the feeling of organizational cynicism among employees. Suggestions are offered on generating spirituality and psychological capital in workplace environments. JEL Codes: M12, M53