Exploring and Conceptualizing Workplace Spirituality in Islamic Banks

This study investigates workplace spirituality in Islamic banks in Pakistan. Through qualitative approach, this study seeks to understand the meaning employees give to workplace spirituality in Islamic banks and explores the way workplace spirituality is constituted and enacted at workplace. It takes an epistemological stance of social constructionism and argues that the way people define workplace spirituality is subjective in nature. Data has been collected from 22 respondents working in Islamic banks and has been analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings reveal that all respondents defined workplace spirituality in terms of religion. They found inner peace and happiness by serving humanity and religion and had deeper concerns for earning ‘halal’ or ‘haram’. Also, the confusion created due to conflicting fatwas on Islamic banks influenced job satisfaction which is seen as a component of workplace spirituality in literature. This study theoretically contributes that workplace spirituality is highly contextual in nature and religiosity and spirituality cannot be treated as separate in organizations that are based upon religious foundations.