What Motivates People? A Value Perspective on Interactive Workplace Spirituality

Abstract

Workplace spirituality from the organizational perspective could be seen as an integrative mechanism that motivates employees towards the organizational values and mission and enhancing the commitment to them. Past studies, though affirmed its relevance and importance, were generally based on the assumption of acceptance, where the motivational goals were neglected. This study aimed to understand more on the motivational goals that promote the interaction of spirituality and its acceptance, from the value perspective, especially in a multi-culture and religion context. This research used the qualitative research method by abstracting the possible motivational goals based on the value type framework of Schwartz (1994). An in-depth interview was conducted with the employees of a religious run hospital in a multi-culture and religion context. The findings shown the value types were applicable framework for organizational spirituality, where the acceptance and participation of workplace spirituality was a process driven by diverse motivational goals. The values involved were varied, complex and possibly inconsistent. Spirituality type, which appealed directly to the spiritual needs, could be treated as separate value type in contrasting to other value types and could be discriminated without much difficulty. The perception of value was critical when there were divergence and conflict of values. This was because identification could be viewed as employees' perception of ”oneness” with the organization, and strong identification would tend to be more supportive, making decisions more consistent with the organizations' objective, consequently more involved with the mission. This study simultaneously provided a possible framework for the better understanding of what motivate the acceptance of organization spirituality, and possible directions for better integration of organizational values that is crucial for achieving the organizational goal and mission.