Internal auditing of organizational spiritual identity (OSI)

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to argue that it is possible to identify and audit spiritual (and nonspiritual) signifiers in organizations, and that this process has the potential to reveal an organizational spiritual identity (OSI). A rationale for undertaking the process is developed by highlighting scholarly literature and empirical findings suggesting benefits in applying spiritual principles to workplace practices, thatmay, in turn, help to offset the potential for costly and painful consequences, such as employee conflict, dismissal, or resignations (Crossman 2016). The implications of spiritual "fit," in terms of recruitment and retention, as well as creating spiritually safe organizations, are also discussed. The author acknowledges that the relationship between organizational identity and spirituality, as a line of enquiry, is still in its infancy and calls for further empirical work, perhaps in the form of case studies, exploring the process and outcomes of conducting audits of OSI in organizations. Some suggestions on conducting an OSI audit are also submitted.