When Faith Fuels Change: How Religiosity Inspires Employees to Improve Their Organizations

What is it about?

This study explores how employees’ religiosity—their personal faith and spiritual beliefs—can motivate them to engage in change-oriented citizenship behavior, or voluntary actions aimed at improving organizational processes and outcomes. Drawing on business ethics research and social exchange theory, the study suggests that employees who are guided by strong moral and spiritual convictions see it as their responsibility to contribute positively to organizational transformation, even when such behavior is not formally required. Based on two-wave survey data from employees in Pakistan, the study finds that religiosity increases employees’ willingness to propose ideas and drive positive change. However, this effect depends on the organization’s climate toward voluntarism—whether it supports or discourages extra-role effort. Interestingly, religiosity’s positive influence is stronger in unsupportive climates, where religious employees feel a moral duty to contribute and uphold ethical standards despite limited encouragement. For organizations, the results emphasize the importance of recognizing religiosity as a personal resource that can drive innovation and change, especially when formal structures fail to promote such behavior. Managers can support these efforts by fostering an environment of ethical encouragement and trust, where employees’ intrinsic values align with organizational goals.

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Photo by Artem Asset on Unsplash

Photo by Artem Asset on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is unique in demonstrating that religiosity can serve as a powerful internal motivator for change-oriented citizenship, particularly in unsupportive organizational settings. By focusing on how personal faith interacts with organizational adversity, it expands our understanding of ethical motivation in the workplace. Conducted in Pakistan, where religion deeply shapes social and professional life, the study is timely in highlighting how employees’ spiritual values can translate into tangible, constructive behaviors at work. It offers practical insights into how organizations can harness faith-based motivation to foster resilience, initiative, and ethical change, even in challenging environments.