Occasions, motivations and expressions of grace at work

Abstract

Purpose

This study builds upon previous research on grace in the workplace, using scholarship from the fields of psychology, business ethics, philosophy and religion with the purpose of clarifying how people experience grace in their work, when it happens, why it happens and what are the affective outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from employed adults in the USA. Research questions were explored using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Findings

Working from a conceptual framework linking the occasions of grace, the reasons for grace-giving and the resulting sentiments, the design and findings of a mixed methods study are presented. The results clarify how individuals from various work environments, demographic groups and spiritualties enact and react to grace-giving at work.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to organizational change and workplace spirituality literatures by unpacking what precipitates workplace grace episodes, what is the nature of the interpersonal exchanges and individuals’ affective responses. This approach allows us to better understand what happens in the specific moments of grace and how grace-giving might be encouraged.

Citation

O'Connell, D. and Adams, M.F. (2024), "Occasions, motivations and expressions of grace at work", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 37 No. 4, pp. 756-777. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-06-2023-0261