The influence of spiritual values on employee’s helping behavior: the moderating role of Islamic work ethic

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of spiritual values (i.e., sense of meaning, sense of community, and wisdom) on employee’s helping behavior. This study also investigated the moderating effect of the Islamic work ethic (IWE). The research framework was supported by the Al-Ghazali theory of soul. A cross-sectional design with purposive sampling was used to collect data from 344 first-line managers within the Pakistan airline industry. A total of 316 useable questionnaires with a response rate of 49.37% was used for data analysis. Partial least square (PLS) second-generation structural equation modeling (SEM) method (Smart-PLS software) was employed to test the hypothesized relationship. The current study findings revealed that spiritual values had a positive influence in affecting employees’ helping behavior. In addition, the moderation test showed a significant influence of IWE on the specific relationships of spiritual values and helping behavior. Implications for theoretical and practical discussion and limitations of the study are taken into account along with suggestions for future research. This study enriches the existing literature on spiritual values, employee behavior, and IWE.Abbreviations: IWE: Islamic Work Ethic; AVE: Average variance extracted; IATA: International Air Transport Association; PLS: Partial Least Square; SEM: Structural Equation Modeling; PIA: Pakistan International Airline