This document discusses a study on the role of spirituality in work life and job satisfaction. It first defines spirituality and discusses perspectives on Islamic spirituality. It then proposes that spirituality can be viewed as an economic variable, citing research linking spiritual well-being, intelligence, and other factors to economics. The study aims to empirically test the impact of spirituality on job satisfaction using a logit model and secondary data. Preliminary results suggest a positive relationship between spirituality and job satisfaction. The document recommends that firms encourage spiritual practices in the workplace.

1. Topic: Spirituality As An Economic Variable
At Work Life: An Application of Divine
Economics Framework.
By : Ashar Awan
Aaajku…..[@]....gmail.com

2. Introduction
This is study is an effort to understand
the role of spirituality in work life. Work
life covers a major portion of employed
people. It subjective evaluation is directly
related to life satisfaction or wellbeing.

3. Job satisfaction & Work-life
Job satisfaction can be understood as a positive
emotional state resulting from the appraisal of
one’s own work-life.
A variety of research has identified various
positive effects of job satisfaction on labor
performance. E.g better labor performance
(Sousa-Poza and Sousa-Poza, 2000), employee
turnover (Ryan, Schmitt and Johnson, 1996),
chievement orientation (Lusch and Serpkenci,
1990) and lower absenteeism (Vroom,1964).

4. Defining spirituality
A subjective experience of the sacred
(Vaughn, 1991)
The extent to which individuals reflect on
their faith and beliefs. (Leak et al.1999)
That which involves ultimate and
personal truths. (Wong, 1998)
The personal expression of ultimate
concern. (Emmons, 2000)

5. Islamic Spirituality
 This discussion on spiritualiy in Muslim
perspective can be concluded as it some thing
that can be viewed as medicine, journey and
battle.
 Journey in the sense that it emphasizes on the
faith that every human being has to reach
back to God as Quran says
 “Truly we belong to God and to Him we will
return".(2:156)

6. Cont.
 Battle in the sense that one has to strive against Nafs
(self)
 The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) saw a group of
his companions who had won a battle approaching.
The Holy Prophet said:
 “Well done! Welcome to those people who have
completed the minor struggle and on whom the
greater struggle is still incumbent.” The Apostle of God
was asked: “What is the greater struggle?” He replied:
“To fight one’s own self.”, Al-Kafi, Vol. 5, p. 12, no 3

7. Cont.
Spirituality as medicine in the sense;
In Nah al-Balaghah, sermon 388, Imam
Ali says:
“One of the catastrophes that may
happen to a person is poverty, but more
difficult than poverty is illness. And more
difficult than illness of the body is illness
of the heart (soul).”

8. Spirituality as an Economic Variable
 Spiritual Poverty, Spiritual Health [Envy, Prejudice, Anger, Self
Admiration] (Al-Iqtisaad, 2003)
 Spiritual Wellbeing (Stroudenmire et. Al 1986), Spiritual oneness
Kim et. Al 1987, spiritual wholeness Ellison 1983, Moberg 1984)
 Spiritual Intelligence (Emmons 2000)
 Spiritual Goods [Demand and Supply] (Miller and Ewest, 2013)
 Spiritual Markets (profits, marketing, monopoly)
 Human Development through Spiritual Development (Chandler &
Holder 1992)
 Spirituality as an economic commodity (Hevia, 2004).
 Spirituality as substitute to other commodities e.g Religiosity
(Hamdan 2000)
 Spirituality as public good (Bouchaert, 2007).

9. Spirituality at worklife
 Workplace Spirituality 1. Meaning in work, product,
services, responsibility to community, faith/spiritual
orientation and workplace. 2. Trust, honesty, fairness,
loyality.
 Economic implications, workers wellbeing,
performance, job satisfaction, turnover intentions, gift
exchange, effort level.

10. Job Satisfaction (JS) and Labor
Economics
 JS and Quits (turnover) . Shields & Price (2000), Clark
(2001), (Helliwell & Huang, 2008).
 The comparison income: Clark (1996) and Clark &
Oswald (1996
 Unions have a negative effect on job satisfaction
 Relative income has an effect on job satisfaction
 Job satisfaction has an effect on quits
 Job satisfaction has positive effect on workers
productivity (Freeman 2000)

11. Objectives
To empirically test the impact of
spirituality on job satisfaction.
To test Divine Economic Framework for
quantifying spirituality.

12. Theoratical Model


13. Data & Methodology
Logit Model
Helliwell & Haung 2008
Data (Secondary from DES 2013)

14. Model
 Sat=f(income, occupation, level, status, education,
working hour,Age,experience in current job, Sector,
Spirituality)
 Expected signs of theory
 Income(More Salary than previous year) +
 Agriculture, -
 Level +
 Status (self employed+)
 Age (non linear U shaped)
 Education (significant +)
 Sector (private +)

15. Results
Variables Model 1 Model 2
Spirituality 0.535
(0.00)**
Tenure 0.001
(0.02)**
.050
(0.00)***
Income .382
(0.00)***
0.43
(.09)*
Gender -0.702
(0.072)*
-0.626
(0.10)*
Age 0.170
(0.01)**
0.099
(0.04)**
Age Sq -0.002
(0.02)**
-0.03**
(0.04)
Sector (public=1) 0.1971
(0.06)*
0.179
(0.09)**
Education -0.147
(0.09)*
-0.205
(0.21)
Health 0.434
(0.00)***
0.441
(0.00)***
Marital Status 0.20
(0.63)
0.218
(0.65)
Pseduo R2 0.1907 20.0

16. Recommendations
Firms should allow and encourage labor
to practice spirituality.

17. Limitations of study
Firms should encourage spiritual
practices at workplace.