David S. Steingard

Spiritually-Informed Management Theory Toward Profound Possibilities for Inquiry and Transformation

The burgeoning line of inquiry and integration of spirituality and management may very well be inspiring managers and scholars to embrace new “metaphysical foundations.” An infusion of spirituality into management necessitates inquiry into new ontological, epistemological, and teleological dimensions of research and practice. This article proposes a preliminary model of a theory of spiritually-informed management that integrates traditional and spiritual approaches to management. The model has three dimensions: (a) awareness: unconsciousness and consciousness; (b) change: translation and transformation; and (c) manifestation: temporal and perennial. The article concludes with an invitation to dialogue and some questions about future research issues: empirical testing of spiritual knowledge systems; unbounded world consciousness; enlightened stakeholder management, spiritually responsible business, and the spiritual transformation of management.

A Postmodern Deconstruction of Total Quality Management (TQM)

Offers a postmodern, deconstructive analysis of total quality management (TQM) theory and practice. Problematizing TQM, uncovers unchallenged assumptions and implicit power relations cloaked by management science′s veil of objectivity and value‐neutrality. Tracing these assumptions and power relations to the life‐worlds of TQM organizations, regrettably discovers an obsequious and dehumanized subjectivity of TQM workers. These alienated TQM workers are inscribed in a seamless and inescapable network of totalitarian power relations epitomized by authoritarian admonitions of “the one right way”, “quality is Job 1”, and “quality or else”. As hegemonic TQM ideology insidiously permeates all aspects of social life, witnesses an unparalleled threat to the basic individual rights of a liberal democracy. Proclaiming the “death of TQM”, optimistically discusses preliminary suggestions for an emancipatory post‐TQM theory and practice.

Higher education for higher consciousness : Maharishi university of management as a model for spirituality in management education

The system of education at Maharishi University of Management (MUM) provides a model for management educators seeking to understand and teach spirituality. It locates transcendental consciousness—“pure spirituality”—at the basis of the universe and the human mind, experienced through the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program. Disciplines are taught as expressions of one unified field of consciousness. This integrated approach develops students who express “applied spirituality”— acting for the positive transformation of the quality of life for all. Research on educational outcomes at MUM gives evidence of cognitive, affective, and moral development in students. The authors offer suggestions for educators at other institutions.

Achieving Political Trans-Correctness: Integrating Sensitivity and Authenticity in Diversity Management Education

Due to mounting pressures to avoid offending individuals on the basis of demographic group membership, political correctness has begun to restrict student participation in our diversity courses. This restriction diminishes what can be learned from class dialogue, an important component of diversity instruction. This article offers a model of “political trans-correctness,” integrating discourse constructs of authenticity, sensitivity, and political correctness. When optimally functioning, a learning community will enter a “zone of understanding” where educators and students speak with candor and actively listen. Four key pedagogical tactics for adopting the model in the classroom are provided: building rapport, setting the ground rules, ensuring the right to remain anonymous, and maintaining the proper presence. Implications for operationalizing the model are discussed.

Challenging the juggernaut of globalization: a manifesto for academic praxis

Calls into question the widespread, and seemingly inevitable, globalization of Western business practices into every corner of the planet. Challenges the assumption that host countries will necessarily benefit from globalization. Stimulates critical thinking and reflection about globalization′s origins, cultural sensitivity, fairness, sources of power and future impact on the wellbeing of our planet. Employs a variation of “deconstruction” and notions of post‐modernism to engender an emancipatory anti‐globalization praxis for teaching and consulting. Offers some preliminary contours of a postmodern anti‐globalization discourse employing examples from The Body Shop International plc.

Integrating Spirituality at Work: An Interview with Ken Wilber

During the Academy of Management meeting in Denver, Colorado (August 2002), a team of members of the Academys Management, Spirituality and Religion Interest Group (MSR) interviewed Ken Wilber at his down-town Denver apartment. Known as a leading voice in spirituality and the founding father of the Integral Institute, Ken Wilber presents in this interview some of his views on the challenges of integrating spirituality in organizations, in terms of management practice, research and education.

Towards a Spiritually Integral Theory of Management

Novel epistemological, ontological, and metaphysical foundations of the burgeoning spirituality in management “movement” suggest a fundamental revisioning of the extant management disciplines. First, we examine the roots of management knowledge by revisiting Burrell and Morgans (1979) classic work on sociological paradigms and organizational analysis. Their subjectivist-objectivist/sociology of regulation-sociology of change, four-quadrant paradigm framework has become a seminal work in organizational studies. Second, we explore the interdisciplinary work of philosopher Ken Wilber (1998), whose integral four-quadrant, holonic paradigms nicely complement Burrell and Morgans efforts. Third, as inspired by the vanguard ideas and practices of the spirituality in management movement, we synergistically combine these two bodies of knowledge to produce a spiritually integral theory of management. Such a holistic theory may serve as an intellectual and methodological grounding for the new spirituality in management movement. In conclusion, we envision new possibilities for the future of management research and application in light of praxiological advancements offered by a spiritually integral theory of management.

Exploring the Frontiers of Environmental Management: A Natural Law-based Perspective

Environmental management (EM) is at a turning point in its evolution as a discipline. Daunting social, ecological and spiritual problems of global magnitude implore EM to be inspiring and efficacious in theory and practice. Ironically, the present EM movement, in its ontologically dualistic configuration—measuring and manipulating the environment as an abstract, objectified economic resource for human gain—is unknowingly contributing to the very ecological degradation it wishes to ameliorate. In order for EM to become a truly ‘transformative epistemology’,1 its praxis must ontologically transcend the narrow foundations of staunch empiricism, logical positivism and rationalism that now firmly gird it. As a possible alternative to EM’s ‘monological flatland’, 2 we introduce a holistic praxiological system grounded in the ancient Indian vedanta wisdom tradition. Natural law-based environmental management (NLBEM) portends a radical metamorphosis of EM into a discipline that makes a meaningful impact on today’s precarious global condition.

Post‐modern International De‐velopment: Intervelopment and Global Interbeing

Outlines a post‐modern approach to international and global development conceived during a visit to Ghana in the autumn of 1992. First offers a critique of modern development′s techno‐bureaucratic, unsustainable over‐consumption ethos and its accompanying practices of Western expert imperialism. With the conception of post‐modern de‐velopment, intervelopment, infuses the ailing sustainable development paradigm with an affirmative radical humanist and relationally interconnected manifesto. Envisages a new synthesis between sustainable development and the practice of intervelopment: global interbeing – a way of experiencing an emancipated, harmonious, economically equitable, and culturally diverse world. Discusses the impact of intervelopment and global interbeing on the life and work of organization and international development practitioners.

THE SPIRITUALLY WHOLE-SYSTEM CLASSROOM: A TRANSFORMATIONAL APPLICATION OF SPIRITUALITY

Abstract This article presents theory and practical experiences related to classroom pedagogy focusing on spirituality and wholeness—the spiritually whole-system classroom. In it, spiritual principles help create a learning community founded on the experience of wholeness. The spiritually whole-system classroom allows participants the opportunity of “being connected with ones complete self, others, and the entire universe” in order to serve a meaningful, broader purpose. This type of transformation engages heads, hearts, spirits, and hands in the pursuit of a more enlightening experience of human organizing. The article concludes with a critically reflective discussion of spiritual applications to management education and practice.