Document2PDF Pilot. MANAGEMENT THEORY AND SPIRITUALITY: A FRAMEWORK AND VALIDATION OF THE INDEPENDENT SPIRITUALITY ASSESSMENT SCALE

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MANAGEMENT THEORY AND SPIRITUALITY:
A FRAMEWORK AND VALIDATION OF THE INDEPENDENT
SPIRITUALITY ASSESSMENT SCALE
A Dissertation
Presented to the
Faculty of Argosy University
In Partial Fulfillment of
The requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration
by
Ronald Raymond Rojas
March 2002

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ABSTRACT
Abstract of Dissertation Presented to the
Graduate School of Argosy University
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree of Doctor of Business Administration
MANAGEMENT THEORY AND SPIRITUALITY:
A FRAMEWORK AND VALIDATION OF THE INDEPENDENT
SPIRITUALITY ASSESSMENT SCALE
by
Ronald Raymond Rojas
March, 2002
Chairperson: Dr. Peter R. Simmons
Committee: Dr. Cal Berkey
Dr. Shanker Menon
Department: Business Administration

The potential for spirituality theory in the management disciplines has generated a large volume of primarily
theoretical literature. Yet at the threshold of this newly formed discipline stand the sentinels of field research
methodologies. It is within the gap between the excitement of a new field in management theory generating an
abundance of theoretical discourse, and a sparse availability of empirical studies characterized by scientific rigor that
the present study is conducted.
This study posits that a reliable and valid spirituality scale founded on a relational-ideopraxis construct can be
developed to meet the empirical research needs of management theory development in spirituality. The
relational-ideopraxis construct is defined as a way to integrate a worldview (ideology) inclusive of spiritual subjects,
into everyday activities (praxis) through an alternative human developmental process framed against relational
attributes. The construct consists of thirteen independent variables also known as relational modes. A relational mode
is a conforming arrangement of personal behaviors selected as a response to a contextual, relational demand. For
each relational mode, three specific behaviors are operationalized into statements and are subject to item validation
through panels of experts. This instrument, called the Independent Spirituality Assessment Scale (iSAS),
demonstrated normality (p = 0.09, n = 234), homogeneity (α = 0.88, n = 508), and stability (r = 0.93, n = 28), with

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an improved α = 0.91 after refinements. Construct validity is demonstrated through two control groups, concurrency
with two spirituality instruments, namely Howden's © (r = 0.53, n = 220), and Beazley's © (r = 0.31, n = 113)
scales, and factor analysis. These statistical analyses from a population of 508 respondents obtained from seven
major metropolitan areas in five states suggest that spirituality measured by a relational-ideopraxis construct is
possible. Further validation of relational modes, causalities, and effects within all three aspects of spirituality are
warranted.

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Copyright Page
© Copyright 2002
Ronald Raymond Rojas
All Rights Reserved

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Acknowledgements
First of all my deepest appreciation to the dissertation committee members, Dr. Pete Simmons, Dr. Cal
Berkey and Dr. Shanker Menon, for their counsel, optimism and encouragement while working formal research on
such a disputatious subject as spirituality in management theory. Likewise, my appreciation is extended to Dr.
Hamilton Beazly and Dr. Judy Howden for allowing me to use their spirituality instruments in this research project.
Also a special thanks to Dr. Judy Neal, who when I was debating early in the doctorate program with the University
of Sarasota (now Argosy University) whether to commit to the subject of spirituality in management, was responsible
for opening my eyes to all the other formal research on spirituality that was being conducted at that time.
My appreciation also goes out to all of those who directly or indirectly supported and contributed to the
collection, interpretation and validation of the research efforts. To Larry Welton, Bob Anders, Daniel Powell and
Doug Knighton, members of the suprapersonal panel of experts. To John Alvarez, Dennis Snyder, Mike Menchen,
Jim Kissane, Garry Moore and Patti Moore, for their valuable contributions as panel members of the interpersonal
aspect. My appreciation to Fr. Len Piotrowski, Roni and Michael Flynn, and Isabel Rojas (my wife) for their
professional observations and recommendations on statements within the intrapersonal aspect. Special thanks also to
Mons. John Neff for allowing the use of St. Paul as a site to run pilot tests.
As the time came to seek out subjects for the research, the eagerness and interest of all the diaconate directors
of the major metropolitan areas contacted was also encouraging. Therefore my appreciation goes out to Fr. Alan
Weber and Vincent Alterio (St. Petersburg), George Miller (St. Louis), Alfred Mitchell (Atlanta), Jerry Klement
(Austin), Ian Taylor (Miami), Bob Kinsley (Orlando) and Jim Swiler (New Orleans) as well as all the deacons and
spouses they represent.
In many ways this dissertation represents not only an academic and professional achievement, but a personal
milestone as well. Therefore, it is inevitable to conduct research on the subject of spirituality without reflecting and
recognizing some of those that share the same journey and were key collaborators in discovering and forging a keen
theoretical and practical interest in the subject. To Jesús M.(+) and Hilda Pagán and Fr.William Esters, who spent
many years immersing me into the Schoenstatt Movement and the life and works of Fr. Joseph Kentenich. To Dr.
Emilio Ramos Ducos, Eng. Ruben Garcia, and Sr. M. Nancy Arroyo and her sisters, Victoria Patris, and many
others, who helped convert many of Schoenstatt's ideas into a fulfilling and enjoyable practice. In a very special way,

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much gratitude goes to all the members of my family. For Maria de Los Angeles, Orlando and Giancarlos; a constant
reminder of the love and joy of family life. For Carlos José, in highlighting the urgency of self-discovery and intensely
living the determination to fulfill one's calling in life. For Teresa Cristina, a vivid reminder of the subtle but powerful
ways of learning with the heart. For Rosamari, a reminder that relational activity entails forgiveness and that there are
many paths in the pursuit of fulfillment. For Joseline; despite her physical and mental handicaps, she is the closest I
will get to living with an angel. Finally, to Isabel, my life-partner, soul mate and wife. Without her love, patience and
understanding, the entire journey and therefore this research project, would have never happened.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Abstract ii
Copyright Page iv
Acknowledgements v
TABLE OF CONTENTS vii
List of Tables x
List of Figures xi
CHAPTER ONE: THE PROBLEM 1
Problem Background 3
Literature Review 5
Purpose of the Study 9
Research Hypothesis 10
Limitations 12
Definitions 13
Importance of the Study 16
Brief Outline Description 17
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 20
Historical Development of Spirituality in Management 20
Recent Trends in Spirituality Discourse 22
Definitional Components of Spirituality 27
Framework Development and Supporting Theories 37
Definition and Selection of Relational Mode 44
Relational Modes for the Intrapersonal Aspect 46
Relational Modes for the Suprapersonal Aspect 52
Relational Modes for the Interpersonal Aspect 58
Advantages and Limitation of the Framework 66
Competing Frameworks of Spirituality 70
Summary of the Review 72
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY 74
Research Design 75
Instrument Design 77
Instrument Reliability Methodology 79
Instrument Validity Methodology 81
Selection of Subjects 86

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Instrumentation 90
Methodological Assumptions and Limitations 94
CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS 97
Restatement of the Purpose 97
Description of the Sample 99
Summary of Demographic Data 102
Results 105
Pre-requisites and Assumptions 107
iSAS Validity Tests 108
Threats to Construct Validity 112
Additional Analyses 113
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 118
Conclusions 120
Recommendations 123
List of References 130
Appendix A: Informed Consent Letter 152
Appendix B: The Independent Spirituality Assessment Scale (iSAS)© 154
Appendix C: Research, Human Subjects Approval Form 160
Appendix D: Beazley's Permission, SAS© 162
Appendix E: Howden's Permission, SAS© 164
Appendix F: Summary of suprapersonal models 166
Appendix G: Literature volume search 168
Appendix H: Institutional Consent Forms 170
Appendix I: Test Specification Table 173
Appendix J: ProQuest Database Ten Year Search 176
Appendix K: Spirituality Instruments, Properties and Attributes 178
Appendix L: Map of relational modes to management theory and research topics 181
Appendix M: Results of Exploratory Factor Analysis for the iSAS……………………182

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List of Tables
Page
Table 1. Results of EBSCO Yearly Search with
Keywords "Spirituality and Management"………..…………….…………….23
Table 2. Sources and Coding of Spirituality Definitions……………………………….36
Table 3. Relational Modes Identified as Significant to
Measuring Spirituality within a Relational
Ideopraxis Framework………………………………………………………...47
Table 4. Reliability and Validity Test Plan.……………………………………………80
Table 5. Sampling plan for testing the reliability and validity of the iSAS………...…88
Table 6. Demographic Characteristics of Respondents……………………………….100
Table 7. Response Rate of the Study Sample…………………………………………102
Table 8. Reliability and Validity Test Results….……………………………………..105
Table 9. Inter-item Correlation for the iSAS………………………………………….113

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List of Figures
Page
Figure 1. A graphical depiction of the relational
ideopraxis framework of spirituality…………………………………………………67
Figure 2. Histogram of iSAS responses from the robust control group………………109
CHAPTER ONE: THE PROBLEM
The historical evolution of management theory and practice have recently been influenced by a powerful
force, such that if properly directed, seems to have the potential to result in a most profound contribution, not only to
the aforementioned professional field, but to humanity as a whole (Neal, Bergmann-Lichtenstein, & Banner, 1999).
This force, extensively discussed in the popular literature (Mitroff, 1999; Richards & Bergin, 1997) and for decades
deemed inappropriate in the business world (Conger, 1994), has already served as a very serious research topic
across many academic domains (O'Connell, 1999). Only recently has the effect of this force on the management
disciplines been so defined that authors like Wagner-Marsh and Conley (1999) have characterized it as a major
development in business management discourse. Despite a climate of reluctance (McGee, 2000), prejudice (Martin,
2000) and skepticism (Godz, 2000), the preliminary results and possibilities this force offers have prompted
academics, consultants and theoreticians alike to seek initiatives leading to a more comprehensive understanding of
this force's capabilities (Butts, 1999). The intensity of these research initiatives have resulted in the conception of a
new field in management research, recognized by management professional organizations such as the Academy of
Management (2001) and the International Academy of Business Disciplines (2001). The force responsible for this
new field in management theory and practice is spirituality.
In their work "A Spiritual Audit of Corporate America", Mitroff and Denton (1999) recognize the
management of spirituality as one of the most important acts of management, and place the relevance of spirituality
into perspective:
" We believe that the choice confronting humanity at this critical joint is not whether organizations
should become more spiritual but rather how they can. If organizations are to survive, let alone prosper, then
frankly we see no alternative to their becoming spiritual" (Mitroff & Denton, 1999, p.168).
Yet at the threshold of this newly formed discipline initiated by a popular interest (McCormick, 1994;

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