Enhancing sustainable performance through job characteristics via workplace spirituality: A study on SMEs

Purpose: This paper aims to provide empirical evidence of the associations between perceived job characteristics and workplace spirituality with environmental sustainability within the domain of small- and medium-sized enterprises. This study aims to investigate the influence of perceived job characteristics (job identity, task significance and task variety) on environmental sustainability through workplace spirituality. Design/methodology/approach: Data are collected from 400 small and medium enterprises (SME) employees working in New Delhi, India, and Islamabad, Pakistan. Response rate in this study is 58 per cent. Structural equation modeling has been used to analyze the data through SmartPLS 3.0 and SPSS version 24. Findings: The results indicate that perceived job characteristics have significant positive influence over workplace spirituality. It is concluded that workplace spirituality also significantly mediates the relationship between perceived job characteristics and environmental sustainability. Research limitations/implications: In the present study, perceived job characteristics have been evaluated to improve environmental sustainability in SMEs from Pakistan and India. Therefore, before generalization in the context of other countries can be made, the results obtained may need some modifications. Practical implications: The research concerns the understanding of various job characteristics and environmental sustainability from the viewpoint of employees in SMEs at imparting perceived job characteristics as important factors to meet challenges relevant to environmental sustainability in the dynamic market. Social implications: There is anecdotal evidence claiming the pivotal role of job characteristics and workplace spirituality toward the recognition of sustainability in the progressive dynamic market. The results of this study represent the effectiveness of perceived job characteristics for accomplishing social objectives through workplace spirituality. Originality/value: This study contributes to the field by bringing together the concepts of workplace spirituality with perceived job characteristics and environmental sustainability in the context of Pakistani and Indian SMEs.