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Faith at Work Scale (FWS): Justification, Development, and Validation of a Measure of Judaeo-Christian Religion in the Workplace

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Abstract

Workplace spirituality research has sidestepped religion by focusing on the function of belief rather than its substance. Although establishing a unified foundation for research, the functional approach cannot shed light on issues of workplace pluralism, individual or institutional faith-work integration, or the institutional roles of religion in economic activity. To remedy this, we revisit definitions of spirituality and argue for the place of a belief-based approach to workplace religion. Additionally, we describe the construction of a 15-item measure of workplace religion informed by Judaism and Christianity – the Faith at Work Scale (FWS). A stratified random sample (n = 234) of managers and professionals assisted in refining the FWS which exhibits a single factor structure (Eigenvalue = 8.88; variance accounted for = 59.22%) that is internally consistent (Cronbach’s α = 0.77) and demonstrates convergent validity with the Faith Maturity Scale (r = 0.81, p > 0.0001). The scale shows lower skew and kurtosis with Mainline and Catholic adherents than with Mormons and Evangelicals. Validation of the scale among Jewish and diverse Christian adherants would extend research in workplace religion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Management Sciences, Abilene Christian University, ACU Box 29325, Abilene, TX, 79699, U.S.A.

    Monty L. Lynn

  2. Catholic Studies, University of St. Thomas, Mail 55-S, 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55105, U.S.A.

    Michael J. Naughton

  3. Economics, Management and Accounting, Hope College, Box 9000, Holland, MI, 49422, U.S.A.

    Steve VanderVeen

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  1. Monty L. Lynn
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Correspondence to Monty L. Lynn.

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Lynn, M.L., Naughton, M.J. & VanderVeen, S. Faith at Work Scale (FWS): Justification, Development, and Validation of a Measure of Judaeo-Christian Religion in the Workplace. J Bus Ethics 85, 227–243 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9767-3

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