This two volume work examines the role of spiritual and religious traditions as a balancing force during times of crisis in organizational settings. Elucidating the varied ways in which spiritual/religious traditions provide new ways of coping in unprecedented times, the chapters provide an integrative review and critical analysis of recent research in the field. Bringing together an extraordinary compendium of religious/ spiritual traditions through a combination of Eastern and Western approaches, this comprehensive work provides a new perspective and highlights alternative mechanisms to deal with current socio-economic dilemmas and workplace crisis facing humanity.
Weaving together various strands in a systematic manner, Volume 1 focuses on the faith traditions and practices including Hinduism Sikhism, Quakerism, Catholicism, Presbyterianism, Abraham religions, while Volume 2 focuses on spiritual traditions including Buddhism and Confucianism. Within the chapters of Volume 1, the authors offer critical explorations of a wide range of topics ranging from crisis management, community responses to Covid-19, environmental degradation and inclusive economic growth.
Author(s): Mai Chi Vu, Nadia Singh, Nicholas Burton, Irene Chu
Series: Palgrave Studies in Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 265
City: Cham
Preface
Acknowledgment
Contents
Notes on Contributors
Abbreviations
List of Figures
Part I: Introduction
1: Introduction: Faith Traditions in Unprecedented Times
Religion and Grand Challenges
Looking Back to Move Forward
Summary of Chapters
References
Part II: Sikhism
2: Sikhism and COVID-19: Ethics of Community Service and Activism
Introduction
Sikhism as a Collectivist Tradition
Key Sikh Initiatives Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
De-stigmatising the Hungry Poor: The Practice of Langar
Oxygen Langar: Providing Collective Healing in the Face of a Medical Crisis
Organising Funerals amid COVID: Providing Dignity in Death
Concluding Remarks
References
3: Sikhism and Sustainability: New Approaches to Environmental Ethics
Introduction
Sikhism as an Ecological Tradition
Caring for Nature as a Form of Worship
Focus on Tree Plantation
Creation of Eco-sophical Communities
Re-interpretation of Sikh Traditions to Make Them Ecologically Oriented
Methodology
The Case Study Region: Punjab, India
The Context of the Case Study: Why Punjab, India?
Key Sustainability Challenges in Punjab, India
Key Sikh Environmental Movements in Punjab
Sarbat da Bhalla: Greening of Sikh Temples
Seva-Creating Models of Voluntary Environmental Action
Sangat: Developing Models of Good Community Practice
Conclusion and Way Forward
References
Part III: Christianity
4: The Connection Between ‘Work as a Calling’ and Social Capital During Unprecedented Times
Introduction
Social Capital and COVID-19
Social Networks
Trust
Reciprocity
The Connection Between ‘Work as a Calling’ and ‘Social Capital’
A Case Example: Revelations Café
Conclusion
References
5: Discernment: A Forgotten Approach to Collaborative Decision-Making in Unprecedented and Turbulent Times?
Introduction
Quaker Discernment
Background
Theology and Process
Leadership and Clerkship
Discussion
Conclusion
References
6: The Presbyterian Virtue of Thrift in Traditional Scottish Banking
Introduction
Religious Asceticism and the Protestant Ethic
The Virtue of Thrift
The Link to Protestantism
Method
Voices in Scottish Banking
Discussion
Conclusion
References
7: Mitigating Distress: Building Resiliency with Balance and Spiritual Well-Being
Introduction
Spiritual Well-Being, Workplace Spirituality, and Religious Coping
Benedictine Context: Vows of Stability, Fidelity, and Obedience
Stability
Fidelity to Monastic Life (Conversatio Morum)
Obedience
Balance
Resiliency
Developmental researchers have identified social support, family cohesion, and positive self-concept as some of the factors associated with building resilience in youth (Masten, 2014). Resilience capacity can continue to grow over a lifetime and is
Discussion
References
Part IV: Abrahamic Religions
8: Morally Responsible Behaviour in Unprecedented Times: Relevance of Sacred Texts of Abrahamic Religions to Workplace Behaviour
Introduction
Positive Link Between Religiosity and Workplace Ethical Attitudes
Learning from Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad
Organizational Pressures for Unethical Behaviour
Ethical Traditions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Moral Responsibility in Judaism
Moral Consciousness
Moral Guidelines
Moral Responsibility in Christianity
Freedom with Responsibility
Creation in God’s Image Impacts Workplace Expectations
Moral Responsibility in Islam
Economics Matters
Application of Abrahamic Religions in Unprecedented Times
Religion Matters
Morality Matters
A Long-Term Perspective
Alternative Economic Vision
Moral Courage During Divided Times
The Need for a “We”
A Way Forward
References
9: Eradicating Extremes of Poverty and Wealth: A Collective Undertaking and a Determinant of Justice
Introduction
Literature on Poverty and Religion
Religion in Relation to Poverty
Corporate Governance and Poverty Alleviation
Eradicating Extremes of Poverty and Wealth in Bahá’í Scripture
Driving Values/Supporters
Fairness and Equality
Noble and Lofty Characteristics and a Desire to Share
Eradication of Warfare Expenditures
Individual Ownership: The Role of Individuals and Firms
Social Responsibility Beyond Individual Faith Belonging, Towards Social Justice
Legal/Institutional Mission
Educational Contribution
Discussion
Conclusions
References
Part V: Hinduism
10: Lessons from Ancient Indian Scriptures for Business and Society
Growth, Inclusion and Wellbeing in an Advancing World
The Third Sector, Grassroots Political Movements and Institutional Change
Crises as Flags for Deep Transformations for Wellbeing: Illustrative Questions
How Big Should a Business Grow? Is There a Natural Size of Business?
Can the Risk Disjunction Between a Business Entity and Its Owners Be Rectified for Inclusivity? And Is Caveat Emptor Useful?
Could Education Focus on Maximising Value for Society?
Governance and Social Justice: Relevance of Ancient India
Community Republicanism, Local Sovereignty and Indian Scriptural Tenets
Purusa: A Unifying Concept
Early Education in Imbibing the Collective Good Ethos
Inquiry in Learning
Inclusiveness in Governance: Oceanic Circles
Discussions and Conclusion
Returning to Happiness
References
Index
