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The Neglected Ethical and Spiritual Motivations in the Workplace

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Listed:
  • Manuel Guillén

    (University of Valencia)

  • Ignacio Ferrero

    (University of Navarra)

  • W. Michael Hoffman

    (Bentley University)

Abstract

Managing other people's work is filled with challenges, and among them, understanding what motivates people is essential. In order to pursue organizational objectives effectively and to develop skills and virtues that lead to flourishing in the workplace, motivation has to be properly understood and explained. This paper contends that the classical and most popular taxonomies describing employee motives and needs have either neglected or minimized the importance of the ethical and spiritual dimensions of motivation, resulting in a model of a person as self-interested, amoral and non†spiritual. In this article, the authors attempt to overcome this idea through an integration of the areas of psychology, ethics and theology, offering an expanded taxonomy of motivation, focusing especially on the workplace, which explicitly includes morality and spirituality. This effort is a significant step toward articulating a more complete and accurate description of motivation that brings out the full dimensions of being human, which is conduciveto improved management practices leading to flourishing in the workplace, and fostering ethically healthier organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuel Guillén & Ignacio Ferrero & W. Michael Hoffman, 2014. "The Neglected Ethical and Spiritual Motivations in the Workplace," Faculty Working Papers 08/14, School of Economics and Business Administration, University of Navarra.
    • Handle: RePEc:una:unccee:wp0814
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anne Matheson & Pamala J. Dillon & Manuel Guillén & Clark Warner, 2021. "People Mattering at Work: A Humanistic Management Perspective," Humanistic Management Journal, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 405-428, December.
    2. Farhad Hossain & Anthony Sumnaya Kumasey & Christopher J. Rees & Aminu Mamman, 2020. "Public service ethics, values and spirituality in developing and transitional countries: Challenges and opportunities," Public Administration & Development, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 40(3), pages 147-155, August.
    3. Fernández Fernández, José Luis & Camacho Ibáñez, Javier & Díaz de la Cruz, Cristina & Gil, Bernardo Villazán, 2021. "How can ‘orare et laborare’ guide the person-technology relationship during the Fourth Industrial Revolution?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    4. Guillaume Mercier & Ghislain Deslandes, 2020. "Formal and Informal Benevolence in a Profit-Oriented Context," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 125-143, August.
    5. Yidong Tu & Xinxin Lu, 2016. "Do Ethical Leaders Give Followers the Confidence to Go the Extra Mile? The Moderating Role of Intrinsic Motivation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 135(1), pages 129-144, April.
    6. Alma Acevedo, 2018. "A Personalistic Appraisal of Maslow’s Needs Theory of Motivation: From “Humanistic” Psychology to Integral Humanism," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(4), pages 741-763, April.
    7. Christopher Chan & Subramaniam Ananthram, 2019. "Religion-Based Decision Making in Indian Multinationals: A Multi-faith Study of Ethical Virtues and Mindsets," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 156(3), pages 651-677, May.
    8. Harry Hummels & Matthew T. Lee & Patrick Nullens & Renato Ruffini & Jennifer Hancock, 2021. "The Future on Love and Business Organizing. An Agenda for Growth and Affirmation of People and the Environment (AGAPE)," Humanistic Management Journal, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 329-353, December.
    9. Karol Marek Klimczak & Alejo José G. Sison & Maria Prats & Maximilian B. Torres, 2022. "How to Deter Financial Misconduct if Crime Pays?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 179(1), pages 205-222, August.
    10. Nicholas Burton & Mai Chi Vu, 2021. "Moral Identity and the Quaker tradition: Moral Dissonance Negotiation in the WorkPlace," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 174(1), pages 127-141, November.
    11. Adeel AHMED & Mohd Anuar ARSHAD & Arshad MAHMOOD & Sohail AKHTAR, 2016. "Spiritual Intelligence (SQ): A Holistic Framework for Human Resource Development," REVISTA ADMINISTRATIE SI MANAGEMENT PUBLIC, Faculty of Administration and Public Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 2016(26), pages 60-77, June.
    12. Matthew T. Lee, 2019. "Promoting Human Flourishing Beyond Foundational Concerns," Humanistic Management Journal, Springer, vol. 4(2), pages 235-237, December.
    13. Theranda Beqiri, 2019. "Empirical Study on Intrinsic Motivation Factors of Employees in Transition Economies," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(4), pages 307-319.
    14. Sally Wightman & Garrett Potts & Ron Beadle, 2023. "‘Whose Call?’ The Conflict Between Tradition-Based and Expressivist Accounts of Calling," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(4), pages 947-962, April.
    15. Ruiz-Palomino, Pablo & Bañón-Gomis, Alexis, 2017. "The negative impact of chameleon-inducing personalities on employees' ethical work intentions: The mediating role of Machiavellianism," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 102-115.

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