Religiosity as a source of influence on work engagement: a study of the Malaysian Finance industry

Abstract

The majority of work engagement studies have been conducted using a quantitative approach with limited attention to the institutional and social contexts. Meanwhile, the role of religion in shaping people’s philosophy and behaviour in life and work has been gaining attention from management researchers. Studies have revealed the positive impact of religiosity on a number of human resources and organizational outcomes. However, few studies treat religious belief as a job or personal resource from a HRM perspective. This study fills part of this research gap by focusing on the relevant factors that may affect work engagement in the Malaysian Islamic context. Drawing on data from 41 semi-structured interviews with mid-ranking professionals from the finance sector, this study responds to calls for more focus on contexts and for deeper qualitative investigations into individual dynamics that concern religiosity and work engagement. It provides evidence that religiosity plays an important role in work engagement. Our findings have implications for people management in organizations that have a diverse workforce representing multiple religions.     

Design leadership,work values ethic and workplace innovation: an investigation of SMEs in Thailand and Vietnam

Abstract

This study established a new three-dimensional model identifying the relationship between design leadership, workplace values ethic (WVE) and workplace innovation. Based on an analysis of 696 usable questionnaires distributed among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand and Vietnam, our results revealed that WVE influences leadership behavior. In addition, design leadership has a significant effect on the four dimensions of workplace innovation, thus confirming an interactionist theory perspective. Furthermore, examining the under-researched Thai and Vietnamese SME context, the findings indicated that the relationship between WVE and workplace innovation is mediated by leadership behavior. In this way, the study extends the design leadership, innovation and values literatures.