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The Impact of Religion and the Degree of Religiosity on Work Ethic: A Multilevel Analysis

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  • Eberhard Feess
  • Helge Mueller
  • Sabrina G. Ruhnau

Abstract

type="main"> With data from the last available wave of the World Values Survey, we analyze the impact of different religions and the degree of religiosity on the work ethic of respondents. Following the theoretical literature, we predict that religiosity has a positive effect on work ethic for all religions (Hypothesis 1), that there is no significant difference in the work ethic of individuals from different religions (Hypothesis 2), and that the impact of religiosity on work ethic is lower for Protestants than for Catholics (Hypothesis 3). Due to the data structure, we apply a Multilevel Random Coefficient Model to test our hypotheses. While our data strongly support the first and the third hypothesis, the second hypothesis is only partially confirmed as Muslims report higher work ethic than individuals with other religions. We provide additional insights for the latter finding by disaggregating the data set by continents and levels of GDP per capita.

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  • Eberhard Feess & Helge Mueller & Sabrina G. Ruhnau, 2014. "The Impact of Religion and the Degree of Religiosity on Work Ethic: A Multilevel Analysis," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(4), pages 506-534, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:kyklos:v:67:y:2014:i:4:p:506-534
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    1. Matthias Basedau & Simone Gobien & Sebastian Prediger, 2018. "The Multidimensional Effects Of Religion On Socioeconomic Development: A Review Of The Empirical Literature," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(4), pages 1106-1133, September.
    2. Goytom Abraha Kahsay & Workineh Asmare Kassie & Haileselassie Medhin & Lars Gårn Hansen, 2022. "Are religious farmers more risk taking? Empirical evidence from Ethiopia," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 53(4), pages 617-632, July.
    3. Badaoui, Eliane, 2023. "Which dimensions of religiosity matter for trust? New insights from the MENA region," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    4. Basedau, Matthias & Gobien, Simone & Prediger, Sebastian, 2017. "The Ambivalent Role of Religion for Sustainable Development: A Review of the Empirical Evidence," GIGA Working Papers 297, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies.
    5. Shiva Taghavi & Michael Segalla, 2023. "Is Work an Act of Worship? The Impact of Implicit Religious Beliefs on Work Ethic in Secular vs. Religious Cultures," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(3), pages 509-531, December.

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