A Multidimensional approach in the relationship between spiritual leadership and job satisfaction: A conceptual framework.

Abstract

This study offers a conceptual framework which relates the spiritual leadership theories to employee’s job satisfaction in a multidimensional approach. Spiritual leadership defined by Fry (2003) as comprising the values, attitudes, and behaviors that are necessary to intrinsically motivate one’s self and others so that they have a sense of spiritual survival through calling and membership. It consists of components such as vision, altruistic love, hope/faith, meaning, calling and membership. Job satisfaction has many components or dimensions but for the purpose of this study, Job Descriptive Index (JDI) developed by Smith et al., (1969) is adopted as it has been described as the most popular and widely used measure of job satisfaction. JDI provides five subscales that measure different facets of job satisfaction describing various aspects of the respondent’s work experiences such as the work itself, pay, opportunities for promotion, supervision, and coworkers. The framework suggests that each one of the spiritual leadership and job satisfaction components positively affect each other significantly with an exception of the relationship between spiritual leadership and promotion/pay aspect of job satisfaction. This study also discusses turnover intention as one of the consequences of job satisfaction. Recommendations for further study are also outlined.