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Emerging stronger from challenging times: How servant leaders manage workplace spirituality and employee flourishing

Mahdi Vesal & M. A. Alam

Australian Journal of Management2025https://doi.org/10.1177/03128962251338332article
AJG 2ABDC A
Weight
0.41

Abstract

Business leaders, particularly in challenging times like the post-COVID era, grapple with fostering employee well-being and addressing spiritual needs. Our research explores the link between workplace spirituality—marked by meaningful work, community, and value alignment—and employee flourishing, with a focus on the role of servant leadership. Using self-determination theory, we analyzed survey data from SMEs in Iran and India, where employees navigated challenging times amid COVID-related difficulties. Study 1 (303 employees in 128 Iranian firms) found meaningful work and a sense of community positively influence employee flourishing, while value alignment has a curvilinear effect. Study 2 (215 senior Indian employees) replicated these findings, highlighting servant leadership’s role in amplifying positive outcomes and mitigating negatives. This research advances self-determination theory and provides practical insights for leaders to foster positive employee outcomes. JEL Classification: D23, M00

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/03128962251338332

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@article{mahdi2025,
  title        = {{Emerging stronger from challenging times: How servant leaders manage workplace spirituality and employee flourishing}},
  author       = {Mahdi Vesal & M. A. Alam},
  journal      = {Australian Journal of Management},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/03128962251338332},
}

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Evidence weight

0.41

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.25 × 0.4 = 0.10
M · momentum0.55 × 0.15 = 0.08
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.