Workplace spirituality, contested meaning, and the culture of organization: A critical sensemaking account

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to contribute to existing critiques of workplace spiritualityrnand organizational culture. The paper links the two by problematising definitions of workplacernspirituality that employ a "culture approach" to change, in which the construct is limited to a set ofrnvalues that gives particular meaning to the workplace.rnDesign/methodology/approach - Properties of Weick's sensemaking model combined with arncritical sensemaking approach are used to analyze texts in order to show how a spiritual culture mayrnshape the actions of its members by serving as an implicit form of managerial control.rnFindings - The paper reveals how some texts, Mitroff and Denton's, in particular, advocaternworkplace spirituality as necessary for organizations and the individuals who work in them tornprosper. Simultaneously, such texts may imply a form of pastoral power, the purpose of which is tornreaffirm a positive self-image, due to the cueing effects of language that is voiced in specific contexts.rnPractical implications - The paper suggests that a cultural approach to understanding workplacernspirituality influences how people can make sense of the organization in which they are members. Thernpotential inordinate reverence of work and one's contribution toward enhanced organizationalrnperformance is of interest to all members of organizations because it highlights how control isrnachieved.rnOriginality/value - The paper offers some insights into the conditions that promulgate the linkagernbetween work and spiritual fulfilment, and it promotes the continuing development of criticalrnspirituality in organizations in order to overcome the potential managerial instrumentality that isrnhighlighted in this paper.