How Sales Personnel View the Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Spirituality in the Workplace Dr. Eleanor Marschke, Nova Southeastern University.

How Sales Personnel View the How Sales Personnel View the Relationship Between Job Relationship Between Job

Satisfaction and Spirituality in Satisfaction and Spirituality in the Workplacethe Workplace

Dr. Eleanor Marschke, Nova Southeastern Dr. Eleanor Marschke, Nova Southeastern UniversityUniversity

Dr. Robert Preziosi, Nova Southeastern Dr. Robert Preziosi, Nova Southeastern UniversityUniversity

Dr. William Harrington, Nova Southeastern Dr. William Harrington, Nova Southeastern UniversityUniversity

Paper Presented to:Paper Presented to:

Allied Academies Conference Allied Academies Conference

Spring 2010Spring 2010

International Meeting in New Orleans, International Meeting in New Orleans, LouisianaLouisiana

Academy of Organizational Culture, Communications & Academy of Organizational Culture, Communications & Conflict Conflict (AOCCC)(AOCCC)

IntroductionIntroduction

► Research was aimed at the study of job satisfaction Research was aimed at the study of job satisfaction and spirituality in the workplace. and spirituality in the workplace.

► Design of the study was to interpret, develop, test Design of the study was to interpret, develop, test and present research that explains the connection and present research that explains the connection between workplace spirituality and a person’s between workplace spirituality and a person’s perception to the relationship to job satisfaction.perception to the relationship to job satisfaction.

► Goal was of this research would lead to further Goal was of this research would lead to further growth in employee development, increased job growth in employee development, increased job performance, lower turnover rates, higher profits performance, lower turnover rates, higher profits and employee retention as it relates to and employee retention as it relates to organizational goals and strategies. organizational goals and strategies.

Key Words:Key Words:Leadership, Job Satisfaction, Sales Personnal Leadership, Job Satisfaction, Sales Personnal

and Spirituality and Spirituality

►Why Spirituality and Job SatisfactionWhy Spirituality and Job Satisfaction Evolving American culture and an Evolving American culture and an

unreliable business climate are driving an unreliable business climate are driving an infusion of spirituality to the workplace. infusion of spirituality to the workplace.

Corporate character, integrity, business Corporate character, integrity, business ethics, human resource standards and ethics, human resource standards and financial issues have risen to the forefront financial issues have risen to the forefront since the late 1990’s since the late 1990’s

Spirituality, Job Satisfaction & Sales Spirituality, Job Satisfaction & Sales PersonnelPersonnel

► The sagas of Enron and MCI in 2001 along The sagas of Enron and MCI in 2001 along with numerous other companies are with numerous other companies are examples where lack of character, examples where lack of character, arrogance, and immoral values among top arrogance, and immoral values among top management inflicted widespread emotional management inflicted widespread emotional organizational and financial devastation to organizational and financial devastation to employees, customers and stockholders, as employees, customers and stockholders, as well as imprisonment for their morally well as imprisonment for their morally bankrupt leadership (Aburdene, 2007) bankrupt leadership (Aburdene, 2007)

Spirituality, Job Satisfaction & Sales Spirituality, Job Satisfaction & Sales PersonnelPersonnel

► Spirituality in the workplace is about people Spirituality in the workplace is about people who perceive themselves energized through who perceive themselves energized through work as spirited beings and experiencing work as spirited beings and experiencing real purpose and meaning at work beyond real purpose and meaning at work beyond paychecks and performance reviews.paychecks and performance reviews.

► Spirituality is a continuing search for Spirituality is a continuing search for meaning and purpose in life; an appreciation meaning and purpose in life; an appreciation for depth of life, the expanse of the for depth of life, the expanse of the universe, and natural forces which operate it universe, and natural forces which operate it --- it is a personal belief system. --- it is a personal belief system.

Spirituality, Job Satisfaction & Sales Spirituality, Job Satisfaction & Sales PersonnelPersonnel

► The core of spirituality is about people sharing and The core of spirituality is about people sharing and experiencing some common attachment, experiencing some common attachment, attraction, and togetherness within their work unit attraction, and togetherness within their work unit and the organization as a whole. and the organization as a whole. (Mitroff & Denton, (Mitroff & Denton, 1999, Harrington, 2004)1999, Harrington, 2004)

► These research areas imply the necessity of These research areas imply the necessity of incorporating spirituality into the workplace in incorporating spirituality into the workplace in order to enhance worker motivation, order to enhance worker motivation, organizational performance, and job satisfaction organizational performance, and job satisfaction (Krishnakumar & Neck, 2002).(Krishnakumar & Neck, 2002).

► Based on research of numerous authors it appears Based on research of numerous authors it appears that working in an environment with leaders that that working in an environment with leaders that support a higher purpose or spiritual sense of the support a higher purpose or spiritual sense of the individual than those who don’t are more satisfied individual than those who don’t are more satisfied and enjoy work more and enjoy work more (Giacalone & Jurkiewicz, 2003)(Giacalone & Jurkiewicz, 2003)

Spirituality, Job Satisfaction & Sales Spirituality, Job Satisfaction & Sales PersonnelPersonnel

►The varying perceptions and definitions The varying perceptions and definitions of spirituality in the workplace make this of spirituality in the workplace make this phenomenon an interesting and phenomenon an interesting and significant research theory to significant research theory to investigate. investigate.

►The need for this study is complex and The need for this study is complex and diverse since there is currently limited diverse since there is currently limited knowledge and research about the knowledge and research about the relationship between the variables of relationship between the variables of workplace spirituality and job workplace spirituality and job satisifaction as it relates to sales satisifaction as it relates to sales personnel. personnel.

Research QuestionsResearch Questions

This study addresses the following two This study addresses the following two key questions:key questions:

► Is spirituality among sales personnel Is spirituality among sales personnel in the workplace related to job in the workplace related to job satisfaction?satisfaction?

►Are there variables that moderate Are there variables that moderate the relationship between spirituality the relationship between spirituality in the workplace and job satisfaction in the workplace and job satisfaction as it relates to sales personnel?as it relates to sales personnel?

Review of Current LiteratureReview of Current Literature

► Proquest provided 147 journal articles and 23 Proquest provided 147 journal articles and 23 doctoral dissertations on the subject of doctoral dissertations on the subject of spirituality.spirituality.

► The literature review presents a definition and The literature review presents a definition and an integral model of spirituality in the an integral model of spirituality in the workplace in the following sections:workplace in the following sections: The Spirituality Movement of the 21st CenturyThe Spirituality Movement of the 21st Century Spirituality’s Impact on the Work EnvironmentSpirituality’s Impact on the Work Environment A Model: The Interaction of the Spiritual Being in the A Model: The Interaction of the Spiritual Being in the

Work EnvironmentWork Environment Organizational CommitmentOrganizational Commitment

Themes that Apply to a Spiritual WorkplaceThemes that Apply to a Spiritual Workplace

► EthicsEthics TrustTrust► AcceptanceAcceptance TruthTruth► Kindness (bonding, compassion)Kindness (bonding, compassion) Encouraging creativityEncouraging creativity► Belief in God or a higher powerBelief in God or a higher power Team orientationTeam orientation► Encouraging diversityEncouraging diversity RespectRespect► Few organizational barriersFew organizational barriers Being self motivatedBeing self motivated► UnderstandingUnderstanding A sense of peace & A sense of peace &

harmonyharmony► InterconnectednessInterconnectedness OpennessOpenness

► Aesthetically pleasing workplace HonestyAesthetically pleasing workplace Honesty

Methodology of StudyMethodology of Study

► Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS)Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS) This study used the Spiritual Perspective Scale This study used the Spiritual Perspective Scale

(“SPS”) developed by Reed (1987). The (“SPS”) developed by Reed (1987). The response scale is a 6 point Likert scale with response scale is a 6 point Likert scale with selections ranging from strongly disagree, to selections ranging from strongly disagree, to not at all, to strongly agree. All previous not at all, to strongly agree. All previous studies showed Cronbach alpha reliability studies showed Cronbach alpha reliability estimates of > .70 (Jesse and Reed, 2003, estimates of > .70 (Jesse and Reed, 2003, Jesse and Allgood, 2002, Steven 1999, Reed Jesse and Allgood, 2002, Steven 1999, Reed 1991). This study yielded a Cronbach alpha 1991). This study yielded a Cronbach alpha of .921.of .921.

Methodology of StudyMethodology of Study► To measure the employee job satisfaction To measure the employee job satisfaction

to the organization, a short version of the to the organization, a short version of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) (Weiss, Dawis, England & Lofquist, (MSQ) (Weiss, Dawis, England & Lofquist, 1967). 1967).

► These twenty items on the MSQ were These twenty items on the MSQ were selected due to the fact is measures selected due to the fact is measures dimensions of job satisfaction that are not dimensions of job satisfaction that are not measured by other satisfaction measured by other satisfaction instruments (Cook & Hepworth, 1981).instruments (Cook & Hepworth, 1981).

► The instrument is composed of 20 items The instrument is composed of 20 items and is designed on a five-point Likert type and is designed on a five-point Likert type scale with responses from “very scale with responses from “very dissatisfied” (1) to “very satisfied” (5).dissatisfied” (1) to “very satisfied” (5).

Sample and HypothesesSample and Hypotheses

► The sample for this population was The sample for this population was conducted a a corporate regional sales conducted a a corporate regional sales meeting of a large manufacturing firm.meeting of a large manufacturing firm.

► 125 surveys were administered in person 125 surveys were administered in person and returned directly to the researcher. and returned directly to the researcher. Return rate was 100 % and a 95% usability.Return rate was 100 % and a 95% usability.

► The target population of this study was The target population of this study was sales manager in a active sales function.sales manager in a active sales function.

► Key demographic variables including Key demographic variables including gender and age were reviewed to further gender and age were reviewed to further characterize the samplecharacterize the sample

Research QuestionsResearch Questions

► Is spirituality among sales personnel Is spirituality among sales personnel in the workplace related to job in the workplace related to job satisfaction?satisfaction?

► Are there variables that moderate Are there variables that moderate the relationship between spirituality the relationship between spirituality in the workplace and job satisfaction in the workplace and job satisfaction as it relates to sales personnel?as it relates to sales personnel?

HypothesesHypotheses► H01: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and H01: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Intrinsic Job Satisfaction.Intrinsic Job Satisfaction.► HA1: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and HA1: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Intrinsic Job Satisfaction.Intrinsic Job Satisfaction.► H02: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and H02: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Intrinsic Job Satisfaction by gender.Intrinsic Job Satisfaction by gender.► HA2: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and HA2: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Intrinsic Job Satisfaction by gender.Intrinsic Job Satisfaction by gender.► H03: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and H03: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Intrinsic Job Satisfaction in older respondents by age.Intrinsic Job Satisfaction in older respondents by age.► HA3: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and HA3: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Intrinsic Job Satisfaction in older respondents by age.Intrinsic Job Satisfaction in older respondents by age.► H04: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and H04: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Extrinsic Job Satisfaction.Extrinsic Job Satisfaction.► HA4: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and HA4: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Extrinsic Job Satisfaction.Extrinsic Job Satisfaction.► H05: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and H05: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Extrinsic Job Satisfaction by gender.Extrinsic Job Satisfaction by gender.► HA5: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and HA5: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Extrinsic Job Satisfaction by gender.Extrinsic Job Satisfaction by gender.► H06: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and H06: There is no correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Extrinsic Job Satisfaction in older respondents by age.Extrinsic Job Satisfaction in older respondents by age.► HA6: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and HA6: There is a correlation between spirituality in the workplace and

Extrinsic Job Satisfaction in older respondents by age.Extrinsic Job Satisfaction in older respondents by age.

Summary of Hypothesis testsSummary of Hypothesis tests

Hypothesis Variables Results

H1 Spirituality in the workplace Intrinsic Job Satisfaction

Reject (null)

H2 Spirituality in the workplace Intrinsic Job Satisfaction Gender

Fail to Reject (null)

H3 Spirituality in the workplace Intrinsic Job Satisfaction Age

Reject (null)

H4 Spirituality in the workplace Extrinsic Job Satisfaction

Fail to Reject (null)

H5 Spirituality in the workplace Extrinsic Job Satisfaction Gender

Fail to Reject (null)

H6 Spirituality in the workplace Extrinsic Job Satisfaction Age

Fail to Reject (null)

Summary and ConclusionsSummary and Conclusions► In the 21In the 21stst century, corporate organizations century, corporate organizations

must seek to develop organizational behavior must seek to develop organizational behavior that will result in a competitive advantage.that will result in a competitive advantage.

► The literature and methodology demonstrates The literature and methodology demonstrates that applying the spiritual mindset in a that applying the spiritual mindset in a workplace environment will encourage the workplace environment will encourage the creativity and innovativeness of employees, creativity and innovativeness of employees, which in turn, enhances their productivity, which in turn, enhances their productivity, leading to more efficient overall performance leading to more efficient overall performance for and by the organization as it relates to job for and by the organization as it relates to job satisfaction and spirituality in the workplace. satisfaction and spirituality in the workplace.

Summary and ConclusionsSummary and Conclusions► The results in this research are congruent The results in this research are congruent

with other studies of spirituality in the with other studies of spirituality in the workplace (Rego, 2007, Giacolone and workplace (Rego, 2007, Giacolone and Jurkiewicz, 2003, Moore and Casper, 2006, Jurkiewicz, 2003, Moore and Casper, 2006, Kolodinsky and Giacalone and Jurkiewicz, Kolodinsky and Giacalone and Jurkiewicz, 2007) suggesting that when people find 2007) suggesting that when people find meaning in their work activities and feel meaning in their work activities and feel involved in a spiritual organizational climate, involved in a spiritual organizational climate, they become happier and healthy employees they become happier and healthy employees engaged in a collaborative manner, to apply engaged in a collaborative manner, to apply the full potential to work and bring their the full potential to work and bring their entire selves to the organization. entire selves to the organization.

Summary and ConclusionsSummary and Conclusions

►The potentially groundbreaking The potentially groundbreaking nature of this research leaves no nature of this research leaves no doubt that the intuitively positive doubt that the intuitively positive relationships between spirituality in relationships between spirituality in the workplace and job satisfaction the workplace and job satisfaction have a relationship to transform have a relationship to transform individual and organizational life in individual and organizational life in ways unrestricted by natural laws. ways unrestricted by natural laws.

Thank you for your time and Thank you for your time and attentionattention

www.spiriteducator.comwww.spiriteducator.com

Dr. Eleanor B. MarschkeDr. Eleanor B. Marschke