Karma Yoga: Scale development and studies of the impact on positive psychological outcomes at the workplace

Abstract

Is achieving organizational performance and employee well-being a zero-sum game? Can cultural traditions provide an approach to realizing the spiritual aspects of ordinary vocations of life? We propose that the approach of Karm Yoga can answer these questions. This research presents the model of Karma Yoga derived from Vedantic tradition. We present three studies aimed at developing the construct and psychometric scale of Karma Yoga and examining its impact on workplace spirituality and positive psychological outcomes. Study 1 ( n = 459) is about the development of the construct and the scale of Karma Yoga and testing the reliability and validity of the same. Study 2 ( n = 337) is designed and carried out to examine the association of Karma Yoga on other widely studied indicators of workplace spirituality, i.e. mindfulness ( β = 0.44, p < .05) and self-transcendence. Further, in Study 3 ( n = 260), we investigate the hypothesis of a positive association of Karma Yoga with positive psychological outcomes like thriving, psychological capital, flourishing, and negative impact on job burnout. Empirical findings support these hypotheses. In this way, our research article presents the indigenous model of workplace spirituality by developing a theoretical framework and testing it empirically. Karma Yoga offers the ways and means to transcendence from an ego-centric approach of work to realizing the spirituality at work. This study also suggests that Karma Yoga reduces stress and leads to the path of well-being.