Workplace-Bridging Religious Capital: Connecting Congregations to Work Outcomes

Sociology of Religion 2014, 75.2 309-331

23 Pages Posted: 23 Feb 2016 Last revised: 3 Jan 2023

See all articles by Jerry Z. Park

Jerry Z. Park

Baylor University

Jenna Rogers

Baylor University

Mitchell Neubert

Baylor University - Hankamer School of Business

Kevin Dougherty

Baylor University

Date Written: 2014

Abstract

Research in the sociology of work has long considered the importance of individual worker values but has not considered one of the central sources of those values: the congregation. In this study, we examine this understudied relationship and propose greater theoretical specification on religious capital. We argue that religious capital, like social capital, may have bridging characteristics. We introduce the concept of workplace-bridging religious capital (WBRC) and describe its cultivation within congregations. Using data from a survey of 1,000 fulltime workers, we test the relationship of WBRC (measured with a 15-item Congregational Faith at Work Scale, CFWS) to workplace commitment, job satisfaction, and entrepreneurial behavior. While CFWS alone is not significantly related to workplace commitment or job satisfaction, the interaction of CFWS and church attendance is significant for all three workplace outcomes. Thus, the influence of congregational beliefs on work attitudes and practices is contingent upon an individual’s level of involvement in the congregation. This study builds on the growing body of literature that identifies religious influences in nonreligious domains of everyday life.

Keywords: religion, cultural capital, work, religious capital, congregations, church attendance

Suggested Citation

Park, Jerry Z. and Rogers, Jenna and Neubert, Mitchell and Dougherty, Kevin, Workplace-Bridging Religious Capital: Connecting Congregations to Work Outcomes (2014). Sociology of Religion 2014, 75.2 309-331 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2736060 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2736060

Jerry Z. Park (Contact Author)

Baylor University ( email )

One Bear Place #97326
Waco, TX 76798
United States

Jenna Rogers

Baylor University

School of Engineering & Computer Science
Waco, TX 76798
United States

Mitchell Neubert

Baylor University - Hankamer School of Business ( email )

Waco, TX 76798
United States

Kevin Dougherty

Baylor University

School of Engineering & Computer Science
Waco, TX 76798
United States

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