This research article entitles “Spiritual Development - a missing and powerful leverage when building learning organizations” is written by Natasa Rupcoc from the Faculty of Economic, University of Rijeka, Croatia. The research article discusses on the concept of Learning Organization which currently become central attention to most organization in ensuring the competitive and continuous improvement. In this article the writer intended to discuss how spiritual development can be integrate in to the concept of learning organization. Many researchers had delved deeply into this concept by examine Learning Organization in different perspectives especially other management theories to create better and more practical implementation. In this issue, the writer has coined the idea of spiritual development factor which she consider as most reliable and solid element to be integrated into learning organization concepts. The writer has examined the ' missing element ' through the view of various meditative practice (such as transcendental , mindfulness and flow ) and religious traditions manly Hinduism and Islam.
The researcher has cover few scope of discussion in deriving to her conclusion
and findings that include raising the level of consciousness in developing
learning individuals and subsequently elaborate further the influence of
religion indoctrinations on the development of learning organization. This
review article will also be clarifying the purpose, design or methodology,
finding research limitation /implications and include practical and social implication.
Concept of Learning Organisation went through winding journey in reaching the
clarity of its concept. The field is intertwined with the term of
Organisational learning that consider similar but yet have different
implication and perspectives in the understanding, According to the writer this
had led to somewhat loss of interest in learning organizations due to no
clear-cut guidelines or procedures to implement this organizational philosophy.
Additionally, the concept also was considered not easily measurable and many
researches have jump into measurement with quick result. Yet with all mention
shortcomings the concept still become highly debated by many scholars due to its
foundational and underlying learning principles. Nevertheless, the
implementation of the concept can be felt and the differences will emerge in
term of the value, behaviour and organizational routine. The writer also
asserted that in developing and sustaining learning organization is based upon
the term spirituality and not associated or referring to religion. However, the
elements of spirituality also largely explored using the scope various
religious teachings. The development of Learning organization has been
considered from the Hindu perspectives (Kamath et al 2017), Islamic core value (Ahmad
et al 2017) and meditative practices mainly transcendental meditation (Heaton,
2017) mindfulness meditation and flow (Cacioppe, 2017) . The design of the
research emphasis on the possibilities developing learning individuals and
learning organization by reviewing the benefits of meditative process and core
belief of some several religious teaching. Findings were put into contexts of
desired learning organization mainly from the perspectives introduced by Peter
Senge.
The writer lamented even over best and current intention;
majority organizations never reach the full potential of the concept. She discerns
that they are missing element which could make learning organization equation
balanced, feasible and attainable. Research discovered that the missing element
from the equation of learning organizations is pertaining our human consciousness.
This element allows and enables perception, reason, learning and growth. This
made learning depend on the level of receptivity and integration of our brain
functioning. When our brains are coherent the capacity for abstracts and system
thinking increase and our learning becomes more precise nuanced. In order to
increase and enhance our level of consciousness, many meditation practices have
been developed for that purpose. People practising the technique were identified
experience an increase in perception, openness to new experiences, easier
learning and joyfulness. The bottom line by cultivating consciousness it can represent
the key aspect of developing learning individuals and subsequently the
organization.
In the religious aspect, the writer has elaborated further how consciousness
can be develop individual by practising the teaching principles. Researcher
believes every religion has certain external element that are visible and
symbolic in nature, and certain internal element which increase the
spirituality of their followers. The writer cited Kamath Burde and Ashok (2017)
to explain on basic characteristics of Hinduism as spiritual practice and its
applicability in developing learning individual and organisation. According the
cited research, Hinduism offer guidelines and principle to reach thriving state
of living which relevant to modern time. In the teaching, Hinduism, knowledge
is gained by both study and reflection which is called Jnana. It leads
to Vijana or the realization and consciousness of the self by the goal
to know
oneself
accept the limitations and become open to the new experiences
In Islamic perspectives, the writer quoted Ahmad et
al (2017) on how Islamic core value can be implemented to develop a university
as a learning organizations by considering example public university in Malaysia.
The values are served as pillars in the Islamic version of learning organization
includes the values of justice, honesty, truthfulness, sincerity, timeliness
and disciplines as guiding compass in managing organization and integrating
shariah requirement. One of the novel example from University Malaysia Pahang
was taken which the university core values are consider consistent with Islamic
philosophy. The values included are bond with the Creator (in terms of being
thankful to Allah and having faith in the will of the Creator); maintaining
shared principles (in terms of being committed, caring and willing to endure);
making wise decisions and being creative (in terms of being hardworking,
developing wisdom and being innovative); being resolute in facing challenges
(especially being patient, determined and consistent); and being proactive in
taking actions and risks.
In the findings, the articles summarize of Hindu
and Islam philosophy and its relation to the learning organization.
Most religion teaching values and philosophy shared many common features with
the learning organization concept. Therefore, the research concludes that by
raising the level of consciousness will in turn raise the level perception of
our current reality. Higher level of understanding, also called insight
(in-sight), will enables us to gain a greater sense of clarity of our role in
the world, of our constraints, possibilities, desires and aspirations. Although
with the valid proves shown by the spiritual inclination, the writer saw the
approach still consider as 'alternatives paradigm' especially when discussing
organizational behaviour. However, the writer believes, the ideas of spiritual
leverage nt only shape humans but they are very much in accordance with the
learning organizations philosophy. The spiritual elements are worth to be
explored further and seek their extraordinary ways for effective and success
application of learning organization.
Overall,
in my opinion the research article has brought both practical and social
implication in the field Human Resource Development mainly in the field of
learning organization. In term of the practical implications especially
practitioner like manager, it enable space and time for practising meditative
practices for raising the level consciousness which can become catalyst to
improve the creativity and motivations include the inner sense of serenity and well-being.
There also suggestions made in the academic environment to introduce the
benefits in raising the level consciousness of the students. From social
standpoint, the raising the level consciousness and developing spirituality can
have contagious and positive social implications in term improving the health ,
ethical and moral conduct, social relations, productivity and welfare. The
article is most agreeable and clear that individual spiritual development is the missing link when building learning
organizations. It its suggested that this research approach can be extended to
other major religions indoctrination in permeating more spiritual principles
into learning organizations.
