Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The theme for this study was inspired by an intuitive and cognitive awareness of, and
concern for, the challenges and complexities faced by business leaders in the twentyfirst
century.
The shift from the industrial to the post-industrial era has brought about a new,
complex network of activities globally. The increasing uncertainties and divides that are
facing the business world - as well as society in general - have led to the hypothesis that
the old paradigms and the existing repertoire of leadership approaches to business are
no longer effective. The shift to a networked society also demands a shift in the
consciousness levels, virtues and values of business leaders. This view is built on the
premise that, under certain conditions and in certain situations, business is an important
driver of transformation in general. Business has the ability and the power to influence
the whole, i.e. societies, communities, environments, etcetera. The assumption is that
business per se could be an important catalyst of change in society, and that business
leaders are certainly accountable for the co-creation of a sustainable and meaningful
environment.
Business’ role is now often understood as serving the whole, i.e. accepting some
responsibility for all or most processes in which the business may be involved.
Business leaders’ values and worldviews are perceived as sometimes directly
influencing their decision-making processes, and the argument, therefore, is that a new
consciousness or a values-based, holistic approach to business and society – i.e.
spirituality – could be an enabler in creating meaning that can incorporate these
dimensions.
The awareness of the challenges for business leadership was enhanced by a statement
made by Manual Castells (1998:368) that, in the Information Age, there is “an anxious
search for meaning and spirituality”.
This study particularly addresses the personal, transpersonal and organisational
transformations that are influencing our ability to make sense and to create meaning in
the context of post-industrial business. The theme of sense-making in organisations
has been influenced by the theories of Karel Weick in particular. The hypothesis is
that mental intelligence alone is no longer sufficient for the interpretation of the postindustrial
landscape, and it argues the importance of business leaders’ developing
spiritual intelligence and a new spiritual awareness as a probable enhancer of
transformation and sustainability. The spirituality that is needed provides a holistic,
values-based approach and the consequent capacity to deal with complexity and
change that was lacking in previous management frameworks. The theories on
spirituality and spiritual intelligence are based on the principles of quantum physics, or
the “new science” as described by physicists such as Heisenberg, Bohm, Capra, Kaku
and others. A comparison between the Newtonian approach and the quantum
approach underpins the argument. The views of specifically Zohar and Marshall were
used to substantiate this argument.
The principles of spirituality and spiritual intelligence are juxtaposed against the
leadership theories of specifically three contemporary authors, i.e. Robert Terry, Jim
Collins as well as Richard Barrett. These three authors respectively and collectively
argue in favour of the evolvement of a new holistic consciousness and of authenticity
in servant leadership. The assumption is that these leadership qualities could enhance
interdependency and may lead to sustainability. Spirituality and business leadership is
therefore explored as a probable enabler of a process of transformation in people, in
organisations and in society, as well as a possible catalyst for creating meaning,
fulfilment and sustainability. The line of thought in this study is that people, as an
integral part of the universe, are being challenged to change not only themselves, but
by virtue of a raised intelligence and holistic consciousness called spirituality, also
change the world (organisation) in which they behave, through their leadership
conduct. This requires leaders to aspire to a better understanding and interpretation of
a new world, and to reflect on the organisation and themselves from more dimensions
than purely the cognitive. This study argues that this could include a consciousness
that is referred to as spirituality and spiritual intelligence.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1803 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Alberts, Margaretha Elizabeth |
| Contributors | University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science. Centre for Knowledge Dynamics and Decision-making. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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