Based on 13 recent empirical studies published during 2023 and 2024, this analytical scoping review investigates the evolving relationship between workplace spirituality and organizational commitment. Although scholarly interest in spirituality within organizational settings has increased, the existing empirical evidence remains fragmented across regions, sectors, and analytical approaches. The review systematically mapped and analysed the selected studies to identify variations and research gaps across seven key dimensions: (1) population characteristics, (2) data analysis techniques, (3) mediating and moderating variables, (4) study regions, (5) outcome variables, (6) research sectors, and (7) research methodologies. Findings indicate that most studies adopted quantitative cross-sectional designs, utilizing regression analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) as primary analytical tools. Research is predominantly concentrated in education, healthcare, and public administration sectors, with limited evidence from private or entrepreneurial contexts. Moreover, longitudinal and mixed-method designs remain underexplored. This review contributes to the literature by mapping methodological trends, identifying critical gaps, and offering future research directions aimed at integrating workplace spirituality into broader frameworks of organizational behaviour and employee commitment.
Afsar, B., & Rehman, M. (2020). The impact of workplace spirituality on organizational commitment: Evidence from emerging economies. Journal of Business Ethics, 161(3), 665–678.
Alkhateri, A., Abuelhassan, A., & Khalifa, G. S. (2023). Workplace spirituality and employee commitment in post-COVID organizations. Journal of Management Development, 42(5), 342–359.
Alqhaiwi, Z., & Luu, T. (2024). Workplace spirituality and public employee performance: The mediating role of work engagement. Public Organization Review, 24(2), 331–349.
Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32.
Ashmos, D. P., & Duchon, D. (2000). Spirituality at work: A conceptualization and measure. Journal of Management Inquiry, 9(2), 134–145.
Fry, L. W. (2003). Toward a theory of spiritual leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 14(6), 693–727.
Fry, L. W., & Cohen, M. P. (2009). Spiritual leadership as a paradigm for organizational transformation and recovery from extended work hours cultures. Journal of Business Ethics, 84(2), 265–278.
Garg, N., Punia, B. K., & Jain, A. (2023). Linking workplace spirituality to organizational commitment: A psychological contract perspective. Employee Relations, 45(4), 878–897.
Jena, L. K., & Pradhan, S. (2024). Workplace spirituality and employee commitment: The mediating role of meaningful work. Management Research Review, 47(2), 156–176.
Lata, S., & Sahoo, C. K. (2023). Exploring workplace spirituality and employee outcomes: A study of Indian service organizations. South Asian Journal of Human Resources Management, 10(1), 56–71.
Meyer, J. P., & Allen, N. J. (1997). Commitment in the workplace: Theory, research, and application. Sage Publications.
Milliman, J., Czaplewski, A. J., & Ferguson, J. (2003). Workplace spirituality and employee work attitudes: An exploratory empirical assessment. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 16(4), 426–447.
Munn, Z., Peters, M. D., Stern, C., Tufanaru, C., McArthur, A., & Aromataris, E. (2018). Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18(1), 143.
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., et al. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71.
Pawar, B. S. (2020). Workplace spirituality and organizational commitment: A review and future research directions. Journal of Human Values, 26(2), 81–93.
Petchsawang, P., & Duchon, D. (2023). Revisiting workplace spirituality: The evolving research trends and directions. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 44(2), 123–141.
Pradhan, S., Jena, L. K., & Mohapatra, M. (2021). Linking workplace spirituality and organizational commitment: The role of psychological empowerment. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness, 8(3), 375–396.
Rego, A., & Cunha, M. P. (2008). Workplace spirituality and organizational commitment: An empirical study. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 21(1), 53–75.
Yadav, S., & Maheshwari, G. (2024). The role of workplace spirituality in fostering employee resilience and engagement. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 24(1), 25–39.
Khan, S. M., Mahmud, N., & Fayyaz, M. (2025). Exploring Methodological Trends in Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Commitment: An Analytical Scoping Review (2023–2024). International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 15(11), 353-368
Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode