Faith Traditions and Practices in the Workplace Volume I: The Role of Religion in Unprecedented Times

Description

This two volume work examines the role of spiritual and religious traditions as a balancing force during times of crisis in organizational settings. Elucidating the varied ways in which spiritual/religious traditions provide new ways of coping in unprecedented times, the chapters provide an integrative review and critical analysis of recent research in the field. Bringing together an extraordinary compendium of religious/ spiritual traditions through a combination of Eastern and Western approaches, this comprehensive work provides a new perspective and highlights alternative mechanisms to deal with current socio-economic dilemmas and workplace crisis facing humanity. Weaving together various strands in a systematic manner, Volume 1 focuses on the faith traditions and practices including Hinduism Sikhism, Quakerism, Catholicism, Presbyterianism, Abraham religions, while Volume 2 focuses on spiritual traditions including Buddhism and Confucianism. Within the chapters of Volume 1, the authors offer critical explorations of a wide range of topics ranging from crisis management, community responses to Covid-19, environmental degradation and inclusive economic growth.  Preface Acknowledgment Contents Notes on Contributors Abbreviations List of Figures Part I: Introduction 1: Introduction: Faith Traditions in Unprecedented Times Religion and Grand Challenges Looking Back to Move Forward Summary of Chapters References Part II: Sikhism 2: Sikhism and COVID-19: Ethics of Community Service and Activism Introduction Sikhism as a Collectivist Tradition Key Sikh Initiatives Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic De-stigmatising the Hungry Poor: The Practice of Langar Oxygen Langar: Providing Collective Healing in the Face of a Medical Crisis Organising Funerals amid COVID: Providing Dignity in Death Concluding Remarks References 3: Sikhism and Sustainability: New Approaches to Environmental Ethics Introduction Sikhism as an Ecological Tradition Caring for Nature as a Form of Worship Focus on Tree Plantation Creation of Eco-sophical Communities Re-interpretation of Sikh Traditions to Make Them Ecologically Oriented Methodology The Case Study Region: Punjab, India The Context of the Case Study: Why Punjab, India? Key Sustainability Challenges in Punjab, India Key Sikh Environmental Movements in Punjab Sarbat da Bhalla: Greening of Sikh Temples Seva-Creating Models of Voluntary Environmental Action Sangat: Developing Models of Good Community Practice Conclusion and Way Forward References Part III: Christianity 4: The Connection Between ‘Work as a Calling’ and Social Capital During Unprecedented Times Introduction Social Capital and COVID-19 Social Networks Trust Reciprocity The Connection Between ‘Work as a Calling’ and ‘Social Capital’ A Case Example: Revelations Café Conclusion References 5: Discernment: A Forgotten Approach to Collaborative Decision-Making in Unprecedented and Turbulent Times? Introduction Quaker Discernment Background Theology and Process Leadership and Clerkship Discussion Conclusion References 6: The Presbyterian Virtue of Thrift in Traditional Scottish Banking Introduction Religious Asceticism and the Protestant Ethic The Virtue of Thrift The Link to Protestantism Method Voices in Scottish Banking Discussion Conclusion References 7: Mitigating Distress: Building Resiliency with Balance and Spiritual Well-Being Introduction Spiritual Well-Being, Workplace Spirituality, and Religious Coping Benedictine Context: Vows of Stability, Fidelity, and Obedience Stability Fidelity to Monastic Life (Conversatio Morum) Obedience Balance Resiliency Developmental researchers have identified social support, family cohesion, and positive self-concept as some of the factors associated with building resilience in youth (Masten, 2014). Resilience capacity can continue to grow over a lifetime and is Discussion References Part IV: Abrahamic Religions 8: Morally Responsible Behaviour in Unprecedented Times: Relevance of Sacred Texts of Abrahamic Religions to Workplace Behaviour Introduction Positive Link Between Religiosity and Workplace Ethical Attitudes Learning from Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad Organizational Pressures for Unethical Behaviour Ethical Traditions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Moral Responsibility in Judaism Moral Consciousness Moral Guidelines Moral Responsibility in Christianity Freedom with Responsibility Creation in God’s Image Impacts Workplace Expectations Moral Responsibility in Islam Economics Matters Application of Abrahamic Religions in Unprecedented Times Religion Matters Morality Matters A Long-Term Perspective Alternative Economic Vision Moral Courage During Divided Times The Need for a “We” A Way Forward References 9: Eradicating Extremes of Poverty and Wealth: A Collective Undertaking and a Determinant of Justice Introduction Literature on Poverty and Religion Religion in Relation to Poverty Corporate Governance and Poverty Alleviation Eradicating Extremes of Poverty and Wealth in Bahá’í Scripture Driving Values/Supporters Fairness and Equality Noble and Lofty Characteristics and a Desire to Share Eradication of Warfare Expenditures Individual Ownership: The Role of Individuals and Firms Social Responsibility Beyond Individual Faith Belonging, Towards Social Justice Legal/Institutional Mission Educational Contribution Discussion Conclusions References Part V: Hinduism 10: Lessons from Ancient Indian Scriptures for Business and Society Growth, Inclusion and Wellbeing in an Advancing World The Third Sector, Grassroots Political Movements and Institutional Change Crises as Flags for Deep Transformations for Wellbeing: Illustrative Questions How Big Should a Business Grow? Is There a Natural Size of Business? Can the Risk Disjunction Between a Business Entity and Its Owners Be Rectified for Inclusivity? And Is Caveat Emptor Useful? Could Education Focus on Maximising Value for Society? Governance and Social Justice: Relevance of Ancient India Community Republicanism, Local Sovereignty and Indian Scriptural Tenets Purusa: A Unifying Concept Early Education in Imbibing the Collective Good Ethos Inquiry in Learning Inclusiveness in Governance: Oceanic Circles Discussions and Conclusion Returning to Happiness References Index