Workplace Spirituality as Lived Experience: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study of Meaning, Well-Being, and Employee Performance
Keywords:
workplace spirituality, interpretative phenomenological analysis, lived experience, meaningful work, employee well-being, employee performance, faith-based higher education
Abstract
This study examines workplace spirituality as a lived experience among employees in a faith-based higher education institution in Indonesia. The article addresses a methodological imbalance in workplace spirituality research, in which quantitative studies have repeatedly linked spirituality to engagement, well-being, commitment, and performance, while fewer studies explain how employees experience these links in morally demanding work situations. The study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Twelve participants, consisting of five lecturers, four administrative staff members, and three academic leaders, participated in semi-structured video-recorded interviews. The interviews used a mix of local dialects and conversational Indonesian. The research team transcribed the recordings, semantically translated the accounts into standard Indonesian, and translated selected quotations into English while preserving experiential meaning. Five superordinate themes emerged: spirituality as moral orientation beyond ritual formalism; meaningful presence in the lives of others; transcendent reframing under pressure; relational care as a condition of spiritual well-being; and responsible performance under a spirituality-practice gap. Participants experienced spirituality not as a generic positive attitude but as moral accountability that shaped teaching, service, data accuracy, financial honesty, leadership fairness, and resistance to unethical organizational demands. The study develops the concept of a spirituality-practice gap to explain why spiritual language strengthens performance only when institutions embody it through fair, credible, and humane work systems. The article contributes an idiographic account from Indonesian faith-based higher education and extends workplace spirituality theory beyond variable-based models.
References
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Duchon, D., & Plowman, D. A. (2005). Nurturing the spirit at work: Impact on work unit performance. The Leadership Quarterly, 16(5), 807-833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2005.07.008
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Garg, N. (2017). Workplace spirituality and employee well-being: An empirical exploration. Journal of Human Values, 23(2), 129-147. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971685816689741
Garg, N., Kumari, S., & Punia, B. K. (2022). Resolving stress of university teacher: Exploring role of workplace spirituality and constructive workplace deviance. South Asian Journal of Business Studies, 11(3), 295-315. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAJBS-04-2020-0118
Garg, N., & Saini, D. (2023). Workplace spirituality to cultivate innovative work behaviour: The moderating role of perceived working conditions. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 44(1/2), 22-42. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0050
Jena, L. K. (2022). Does workplace spirituality lead to raising employee performance? The role of citizenship behavior and emotional intelligence. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 30(6), 1309-1334. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-06-2020-2279
Jnaneswar, K., & Sulphey, M. M. (2023). Workplace spirituality, self-compassion and mindfulness as antecedents of employee mental wellbeing. South Asian Journal of Business Studies, 12(2), 269-292. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAJBS-07-2020-0258
Jurkiewicz, C. L., & Giacalone, R. A. (2004). A values framework for measuring the impact of workplace spirituality on organizational performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 49(2), 129-142. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000015843.22195.b9
Karakas, F. (2010). Spirituality and performance in organizations: A literature review. Journal of Business Ethics, 94(1), 89-106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0251-5
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Kristof-Brown, A., Schneider, B., & Su, R. (2023). Person-organization fit theory and research: Conundrums, conclusions, and calls to action. Personnel Psychology, 76(2), 375-412. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12581
Malterud, K., Siersma, V. D., & Guassora, A. D. (2016). Sample size in qualitative interview studies: Guided by information power. Qualitative Health Research, 26(13), 1753-1760. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732315617444
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Margaretha, M., Sinuraya, C., Sherlywati, Zaniarti, S., Saragih, S., & Margaretha, Y. (2026). Workplace spirituality and person-organization fit: Pathways to faculty engagement and retention. European Journal of Educational Research, 15(1), 65-78. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.15.1.65
Milliman, J., Czaplewski, A. J., & Ferguson, J. (2003). Workplace spirituality and employee work attitudes: An exploratory empirical assessment. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 16(4), 426-447. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534810310484172
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Mitroff, I. I., & Denton, E. A. (1999). A spiritual audit of corporate America: A hard look at spirituality, religion, and values in the workplace. Jossey-Bass.
Munjal, N. (2024). Examining the evolution of workplace spirituality: A bibliometric approach. Journal of Human Values. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/09716858241287479
Nizza, I. E., Farr, J., & Smith, J. A. (2021). Achieving excellence in interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA): Four markers of high quality. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 369-386. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2020.1854404
Petchsawang, P., & McLean, G. N. (2017). Workplace spirituality, mindfulness meditation, and work engagement. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 14(3), 216-244. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2017.1291360
Rego, A., & Cunha, M. P. e. (2008). Workplace spirituality and organizational commitment: An empirical study. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 21(1), 53-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534810810847039
Saks, A. M. (2011). Workplace spirituality and employee engagement. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 8(4), 317-340. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2011.630170
Sharma, N., & Singh, R. K. (2021). Workplace spirituality and organizational effectiveness: Exploration of relationship and moderators. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 18(1), 15-34. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2020.1829011
Sheep, M. L. (2006). Nurturing the whole person: The ethics of workplace spirituality in a society of organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 66(4), 357-375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-0014-5
Smith, J. A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2022). Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method and research (2nd ed.). SAGE.
Smith, J. A., & Nizza, I. E. (2022). Essentials of interpretative phenomenological analysis. American Psychological Association.
Syahir, A. N. A., Zainal Abidin, M. S., Sa'ari, C. Z., & Abdul Rahman, M. Z. (2025). Workplace spirituality and its impact on employee well-being: A systematic literature review of global evidence. Journal of Religion and Health, 64(5), 3313-3345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-025-02350-2
Vasconcelos, A. F. (2023). Organizational spirituality: A literature review and research agenda. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 31(7), 2979-3001. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-04-2022-3230
Ashmos, D. P., & Duchon, D. (2000). Spirituality at work: A conceptualization and measure. Journal of Management Inquiry, 9(2), 134-145. https://doi.org/10.1177/105649260092008
Barik, S., & Nayak, T. (2024). Workplace spirituality: Exploring past, present and future through bibliometric analysis. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 31(9), 3216-3241. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-04-2022-0251
Benefiel, M., Fry, L. W., & Geigle, D. (2014). Spirituality and religion in the workplace: History, theory, and research. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 6(3), 175-187. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036597
Duchon, D., & Plowman, D. A. (2005). Nurturing the spirit at work: Impact on work unit performance. The Leadership Quarterly, 16(5), 807-833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2005.07.008
Fry, L. W. (2003). Toward a theory of spiritual leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 14(6), 693-727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2003.09.001
Garg, N. (2017). Workplace spirituality and employee well-being: An empirical exploration. Journal of Human Values, 23(2), 129-147. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971685816689741
Garg, N., Kumari, S., & Punia, B. K. (2022). Resolving stress of university teacher: Exploring role of workplace spirituality and constructive workplace deviance. South Asian Journal of Business Studies, 11(3), 295-315. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAJBS-04-2020-0118
Garg, N., & Saini, D. (2023). Workplace spirituality to cultivate innovative work behaviour: The moderating role of perceived working conditions. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 44(1/2), 22-42. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0050
Jena, L. K. (2022). Does workplace spirituality lead to raising employee performance? The role of citizenship behavior and emotional intelligence. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 30(6), 1309-1334. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-06-2020-2279
Jnaneswar, K., & Sulphey, M. M. (2023). Workplace spirituality, self-compassion and mindfulness as antecedents of employee mental wellbeing. South Asian Journal of Business Studies, 12(2), 269-292. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAJBS-07-2020-0258
Jurkiewicz, C. L., & Giacalone, R. A. (2004). A values framework for measuring the impact of workplace spirituality on organizational performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 49(2), 129-142. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000015843.22195.b9
Karakas, F. (2010). Spirituality and performance in organizations: A literature review. Journal of Business Ethics, 94(1), 89-106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0251-5
Krahnke, K., Giacalone, R. A., & Jurkiewicz, C. L. (2003). Point-counterpoint: Measuring workplace spirituality. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 16(4), 396-405. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534810310484154
Kristof-Brown, A., Schneider, B., & Su, R. (2023). Person-organization fit theory and research: Conundrums, conclusions, and calls to action. Personnel Psychology, 76(2), 375-412. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12581
Malterud, K., Siersma, V. D., & Guassora, A. D. (2016). Sample size in qualitative interview studies: Guided by information power. Qualitative Health Research, 26(13), 1753-1760. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732315617444
Margaretha, M., Saragih, S., Zaniarti, S., & Parayow, B. (2021). Workplace spirituality, employee engagement, and professional commitment: A study of lecturers from Indonesian universities. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 19(2), 346-354. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.19(2).2021.28
Margaretha, M., Sinuraya, C., Sherlywati, Zaniarti, S., Saragih, S., & Margaretha, Y. (2026). Workplace spirituality and person-organization fit: Pathways to faculty engagement and retention. European Journal of Educational Research, 15(1), 65-78. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.15.1.65
Milliman, J., Czaplewski, A. J., & Ferguson, J. (2003). Workplace spirituality and employee work attitudes: An exploratory empirical assessment. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 16(4), 426-447. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534810310484172
Milliman, J., Gatling, A., & Kim, J. (Sunny). (2018). The effect of workplace spirituality on hospitality employee engagement, intention to stay, and service delivery. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 35, 56-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2018.03.002
Mitroff, I. I., & Denton, E. A. (1999). A spiritual audit of corporate America: A hard look at spirituality, religion, and values in the workplace. Jossey-Bass.
Munjal, N. (2024). Examining the evolution of workplace spirituality: A bibliometric approach. Journal of Human Values. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/09716858241287479
Nizza, I. E., Farr, J., & Smith, J. A. (2021). Achieving excellence in interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA): Four markers of high quality. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 369-386. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2020.1854404
Petchsawang, P., & McLean, G. N. (2017). Workplace spirituality, mindfulness meditation, and work engagement. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 14(3), 216-244. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2017.1291360
Rego, A., & Cunha, M. P. e. (2008). Workplace spirituality and organizational commitment: An empirical study. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 21(1), 53-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534810810847039
Saks, A. M. (2011). Workplace spirituality and employee engagement. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 8(4), 317-340. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2011.630170
Sharma, N., & Singh, R. K. (2021). Workplace spirituality and organizational effectiveness: Exploration of relationship and moderators. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 18(1), 15-34. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2020.1829011
Sheep, M. L. (2006). Nurturing the whole person: The ethics of workplace spirituality in a society of organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 66(4), 357-375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-0014-5
Smith, J. A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2022). Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method and research (2nd ed.). SAGE.
Smith, J. A., & Nizza, I. E. (2022). Essentials of interpretative phenomenological analysis. American Psychological Association.
Syahir, A. N. A., Zainal Abidin, M. S., Sa'ari, C. Z., & Abdul Rahman, M. Z. (2025). Workplace spirituality and its impact on employee well-being: A systematic literature review of global evidence. Journal of Religion and Health, 64(5), 3313-3345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-025-02350-2
Vasconcelos, A. F. (2023). Organizational spirituality: A literature review and research agenda. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 31(7), 2979-3001. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-04-2022-3230
Published
2026-06-23
How to Cite
Joice M.D.V. Wokas, David Paul Elia Saerang, Soepeno, D., & Wenas, R. (2026). Workplace Spirituality as Lived Experience: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study of Meaning, Well-Being, and Employee Performance. International Journal of Economics, Business and Innovation Research, 5(04), 2181-2201. https://doi.org/10.63922/ijebir.v5i04.4603
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