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Spiritual development and meaningful work: a Habermasian critique

Spiritual development and meaningful work: a Habermasian critique

Haq, Shoaib Ul (2019) Spiritual development and meaningful work: a Habermasian critique. Human Resource Development International, 23 (2). pp. 125-145. ISSN 1367-8868 (Print), 1469-8374 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2019.1679570)

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Abstract

A dominant theme of the workplace spirituality discourse in HRD is its transformational nature which enables an organization to imbue work with purpose and meaning. Empirical studies have shown that providing meaningful work to employees enhances several indicators of organizational performance. However, this discourse ignores that such organizational interventions are shaped by capitalist power relations in which the organization is embedded. In this paper, I apply a critical theory perspective drawing from the work of Jurgen Habermas to show that workplace spirituality movement has emerged in response to the loss of meanings inherent in neoliberal capitalism. However, since this movement is operating on a logic of performativity and instrumental rationality, it represents an attempt to re-orient individual subjectivity and the spiritual realm of human experience to serve capitalism.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: workplace spirituality; HRD; Habermas
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group: Faculty of Business
Faculty of Business > Department of Systems Management & Strategy
Faculty of Business > Networks and Urban Systems Centre (NUSC)
Last Modified: 23 May 2023 14:45
URI: http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/42724

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