The interplay between spirituality, compassion and citizenship behaviours in the lives of educators: a study

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the impact of workplace spirituality on citizenship behaviours of high school teachers. In addition, the moderating role of workplace compassion is examined. Design/methodology/approach - This study is quantitative in nature. Data were collected from 232 secondary school teachers using a structured questionnaire. Partial least squares-based structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. Findings - Results revealed evidence for the positive relationship between spirituality and citizenship behaviours. Compassion was found to be a potential moderator in enhancing the spirituality–citizenship behaviour connection. This study attempts to understand one of the ways in which spirituality affects workplace behaviour by specifying the role of a moderator. The complex nature of the phenomenon is delineated further by identifying the plausible relationship with other variables. Practical implications - Organisations can leverage the spiritual resources available to their people to compound their proactive behaviours, thus creating a win–win situation for both the parties involved. This is particularly useful for educational institutions where such behaviours are not merely desirable but could significantly elevate the working environment. Originality/value - This study evaluates the connections between spirituality, compassion and citizenship behaviour, which remain largely unexplored in a non-profit sector. The construct of workplace compassion is not sufficiently mapped, especially in a context where it is thought to be embedded in the work environment.