Religiosity and Islamic work ethic: A cross-cultural comparison in majority and non-majority Muslim countries

This study explores the role of religiosity in shaping Islamic work ethic across Muslim majority and non-majority countries, examining the variations in work-related values with reference to religious beliefs among Muslims. The study employs multiple regression models on the data sourced from the 7th wave of the World Value Surveys, focusing on a subset of 11,811 working Muslims across 40 countries. The demographic and socio-economic factors are considered as control in the models. The finding reveals that religiosity fosters a strong commitment to work among Muslims, not merely as a means to achieve economic goals, but as a moral and social responsibility. There are distinct patterns in Muslim majority and non-majority countries, showing that religiosity and cultural contexts significantly shape work ethic among Muslims. In Muslim majority countries, religiosity has a more pronounced impact, aligning with social norms and values. Whereas, in non-Muslim majority settings, the force of religiosity on the work ethic competes with diverse cultural values. The paper concludes by arguing that these dynamics become indispensable for policymakers and organizational leaders, who can ensure greater workplace inclusiveness and productivity through the incorporation and acceptance of different religious values into the professional realms.