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

17 Pages Posted: 8 May 2016

See all articles by Monty Lynn

Monty Lynn

Abilene Christian University

Date Written: 2009

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 a = 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.

Keywords: Christianity, Faith at Work Scale, Judaism, psychometric, scale, vocation, workplace spirituality, workplace religion

JEL Classification: M14

Suggested Citation

Lynn, Monty, Faith at Work Scale (FWS): Justification, Development, and Validation of a Measure of Judaeo-Christian Religion in the Workplace (2009). Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 85, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2776648

Monty Lynn (Contact Author)

Abilene Christian University ( email )

ACU Box 29325
Abilene, TX 79699
United States
325-674-2593 (Phone)

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