Transcribed Image Text: International Case
Spirituality in the Workplace7
Traditionally, the workplace and spirituality did not mix in America. But things are changing.
Andre Delbecq, a professor at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit institution, said, "There were two
things I thought I'd never see in my life, the fall of the Russian empire and God being spoken
about in a business school." Now management books and conferences (including the annual
meeting of the Academy of Management) deal with the various aspects of how God can be
brought into the organizational environment. To be sure, people who want to integrate spiritual
dimensions into the workplace are still considered rebels. But ServiceMaster, a Fortune 500
company with some 75,000 employees, created a spiritual organization culture many years ago.
Indeed, Peter Drucker, one of the most prolific writers on management, had high regard for the
company that is known for its products such as Terminix, TruGreen, and Merry Maids.
When people in the United States were asked if they believe in God, some 95 percent said
yes. It is in a spiritual context that businesspeople under the daily pressure of work can discuss
their inner feelings. As the baby boomers, now in their 50s, are reaching the top in their cor-
porate life, they begin to wonder what life is all about. They lived through the youth culture
of the 1960s and the greed-dominated 1980s. They are now questioning the real meaning of
life and the ethical dimension of work. Jose Zeilstra, an executive at PriceWaterhouseCoopers,
worked around the world, practicing her Christian principles in different cultures. During her as-
signment in China, she strongly argued against the practice of giving "very expensive gifts." As a
result, the business deal did not work out. Yet, in the long run, integrating her personal beliefs
with her work resulted in a very successful career. Academic institutions such as the University
of St. Thomas, University of Denver, and Harvard Divinity School are following and studying the
movement of spirituality. Other American schools such as Antioch University, University of New
Haven, University of Scranton, and Santa Clara University, as well as institutions abroad such as
the University of Bath in England and the Indian Center for Encouraging Excellence in India, are
conducting research, conferences, or lectures on spirituality.
The cover story of Business Week (November 1, 1999) discussed how companies such as Taco
Bell, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and Xerox pay attention to the spiritual needs of their employees.
Some companies claim an increase in productivity, decrease in turnover, and reduction in fear.
A research study by the consulting firm McKinsey in Australia found that firms with spiritual
programs showed reduced turnover and improved productivity. Professor lan I. Mitroff at the
University of Southern California even stated, "Spirituality could be the ultimate competitive
advantage." But there is also the concern that cult members and groups with a radical perspec-
tive could use the workplace for their own aims. Still, employees in companies that integrate
spirituality in their workplace count on the potential benefits of greater respect for individuals,
more humane treatment of their fellow workers, and an environment with greater trust that
permeates their organization.
Questions
1. What does spirituality mean to you?
2. Could spirituality affect ethical behavior?
3. Is this topic appropriate for business?
4. What are the arguments for and against inclusion of spirituality in business?