Spiritual capital
Spiritual capital is a concept that involves the quantification of the value to individuals, groups and society of spiritual, moral or psychological beliefs and practices. Proponents liken it to other forms of capital, including material capital (or financial capital), intellectual capital, NATURAL capital and social capital. Some scholars see spiritual capital as simply another term for the power and influence generated by religion belief and practice, whilst others, such as Danah Zohar define it more broadly as the value of personal, social or cultural beliefs and meanings that stimulate creativity, encourage moral behaviour and motivate individuals. It is often connected to the related concept of spiritual intelligence.
Definitions
The Metanexus Institute defines spiritual capital as "The Effects of spiritual and religious practices, beliefs, networks and institutions that have a measurable impact on individuals, communities and societies". Another general definition, offered by A Liu is that spiritual capital is the power, influence and dispositions created by a person or an organization’s spiritual belief, knowledge and practice.
Measurements
In part because of the variety of ways in which Spiritual Capital should be defined no widely accepted sociological or economic indicator for it has been developed. However it has been suggested that Spiritual capital should be measured at three levels - individual level, organizational level and national level. The method of Danah Zohar measures spiritual capital at the individual level, that is, to measure spiritual intelligence with a psychometrics approach. Many management consultants measure organizational spiritual capital in a way similar to that of social capital. The Research Methods Institute has produced a composite index approach that they claim measures the spiritual capital of countries and organisations. They have so far used this to produce a Spiritual Capital Index that is published on their web site.
References
- Spiritual Capital: Wealth We Can Live By Danah Zohar and Ian Marshall (2004; ISBN 1576751384)
- God is at Work by Ken Eldred 2005 Regal Books
- Handbook of workplace spirituality and organizational performance. by Giacalone, R. A., & Jurkiewicz, C. L. (2003). Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe.
- Spiritual information : 100 perspectives on science and religion. by Harper, C. L., & Templeton, J. (Eds.). (2005). Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation Press.
- Spiritual intelligence at work : meaning, metaphor, and morals. by Pava, M. L., & Primeaux, P. (2004). Amsterdam ; London: Jai.
- Spiritual capital, academic capital and the politics of scholarship: A response to Bradford Verter Method & Theory in the Study of Religion, 17(2), 166-175. by Urban, H. (2005).
- Spiritual capital: Theorizing religion with Bourdieu against Bourdieu Sociological Theory, 21(2), 50-174. by Verter, B. (2003).
- Spirituality and ethics in management. by Zsolnai, L. (2004). Dordrecht Boston, Mass.: Kluwer Academic.
- Ethics and spirituality at work : hopes and pitfalls of the search for meaning in organizations. by Pauchant, T. C. (2002). Westport, Conn.: Quorum Books.