Sensemaking and spirituality: The process of re-centring self-decentralisation at work

Mai Vu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
54 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This study explores sensemaking as grounded in identity construction in the context of workplace spirituality to uncover how individuals make sense of the process of self-decentralisation. The paper adopts the Buddhist notion of non-self as an analytical tool to explore how Buddhist practitioners in organisational contexts ‘empty out’ and de-centre the self in constructing and negotiating self-identity in the workplace. Through 104 interviews with both executives and employees who are Buddhist practitioners, the study reveals a phenomenon of re-centring self-decentralisation emerging in the pursuit of self-decentralisation. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how individuals make sense of work in the context of a spiritual practice and highlight practical implications for HRM practices to manage dynamic interpretations and enactments of spiritual practices in organisations.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1411-1441
Number of pages31
JournalInternational Journal of Human Resource Management
Volume34
Issue number7
Early online date21 Oct 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Apr 2023

Keywords

  • Non-self
  • empty speech
  • engaged Buddhism
  • full speech
  • sensemaking
  • workplace spirituality

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