Revisiting Workplace Spirituality as an Antidote to Burnout and an Enabler of Resilience in NPOs: An Indigenous Approach

Abstract

The study aims to propose a conceptual Bhartiya (Indian) model of workplace spirituality (WPS) in non-profit organisations (NPOs) in the context of burnout and resilience by synthesising the concepts of the east and the west. The researchers have kept an open approach by exploring various dimensions of WPS by reviewing the extant literature of both the east and the west. The researchers delved into Bhartiya (Indian) scriptures to identify the concepts that have similarity with the dimensions of WPS so that it may further assist in facilitating those dimensions in NPOs. Furthermore, to propose a conceptual Bhartiya model for NPOs, the researchers synthesised the literature pool of Bhartiya studies on WPS. They examined how WPS decreases burnout and leads to resilience. The study’s findings reveal that concepts from Bhartiya scriptures such as Karm Yog (Nishkam Karm, self-abnegation, swadharm), parasparam bhavayantaha, loksangrah, daivi sampat and kritagyata are instrumental in facilitating the constructs of WPS. Meaningful work is facilitated through karm yog; sense of community is facilitated through parasparam bhavayantaha and loksangrah; and alignment with organisational values is facilitated through daivi sampat and kritagyata. The findings further suggest that WPS is an antidote to burnout and an enabler of resilience.

Citation

Mer, A. and Virdi, A.S. (2023), "Revisiting Workplace Spirituality as an Antidote to Burnout and an Enabler of Resilience in NPOs: An Indigenous Approach", Grima, S., Thalassinos, E., Noja, G.G., Stamataopoulos, T.V., Vasiljeva, T. and Volkova, T. (Ed.) Digital Transformation, Strategic Resilience, Cyber Security and Risk Management (Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis, Vol. 111B), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 87-105. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1569-37592023000111B006