Workplace spirituality, organizational commitment and life satisfaction : the moderating role of religious affiliation

Purpose: Based on a multidimensional perspective of workplace spirituality, the authors examined a moderated mediation model, wherein workplace spirituality leads to life satisfaction through organizational commitment moderated by employees' religious affiliation. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from South Korean employees, and hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analysis. Findings: Three subdimensions of workplace spirituality – meaning at work, membership and inner life – were positively related to organizational commitment. In addition, organizational commitment mediated the relationships between the subdimensions and life satisfaction. Employees' religious affiliation moderated the relationship between the inner life and organizational commitment, which, in turn, also mediated the interactive effect on life satisfaction. Practical implications: Based on the awareness of the importance of workplace spirituality, organizations need to endeavor to help employees find meaningfulness in their work, experience a climate of mutual understanding and feel a sense of trust and respect within organizations by providing opportunities or resources to fulfill their needs to spiritual self. In addition, organizations need to consider implementing policies to support employees to pursue their inner spirit not only within the workplace but also in the areas of personal life. Originality/value: This study verifies the internal mechanisms behind the workplace spirituality – life satisfaction relationship and underlines how religious affiliation interacts with workplace spirituality to influence organizational commitment and life satisfaction.