The remarkable explosion of scholarship in the field of management, business, organizations and work provides the
opportunity for more specialized interest areas. One area whose time has come is that of Spirituality and
Religion - and their role in shaping organizations: structures, decision making, management style, mission and
strategy, organizational culture, human resource management, finance and accounting, marketing and sales... - in short:
all aspects of organizing and managing resources and people.
Over the past two decades the relatively new areas of business ethics, environmental accountability, and corporate responsibility, have established their place in business, in organizational theory and in the classroom. At the same time we have evidenced a rising interest in Spirituality and in mainstream religion, both of which are making their way into the corporate boardroom in a variety of manifestations - from corporate values through life-work balance to Fung Shui and meditation. Some argue that the age of the 'moral organization' has come, and not too soon either, in the wake of the Enron, Worldcom and Parmalat scandals.
At the same time, degree programmes combining religious studies and theology with business studies and management have been expanding; in addition, students for priesthood are expected to learn how to manage resources as part of their role.
And yet from another end, religious-inspired organizations play a decisive role in our societies, running the spectrum from Mother Theresa's mission of hope and peace, to Bin Laden's 'mission' of destruction.
As evidenced in the recent formation and success of the Management, Spirituality and Religion Special Interest Group of the Academy of Management, this field is gathering momentum. Yet, so far, it has no dedicated forum for disseminating work, for the development of theory and best practice, and for the exchange of ideas and debate. The growing number of devoted courses have no specialized journal to whet their students' appetite, and students undertaking research work have as yet no scholarly address for their enquiries.
The Journal of Management, Spirituality and Religion aims to become the first port of call for academics in this fast expanding scholarly area.
SCOPE
JMSR serves three large communities: (1) students, scholars and practitioners of spirituality, (2) management academics and practising managers, and (3) religion scholars and religious leaders. JMSR aims to serve as a meeting forum and help cross-fertilisation in these communities. It wishes to encompass, without prejudging any belief, a multitude of interests and concerns. Our sole criterion is academic rigour and scientific merit.
JMSR is proud to have the most prominent scholars in the field associated with the journal.
FORMAT
An academic, blind refereed journal, with relevant sections such as book reviews and a news section. Year 1, 2004 (two issues), Year 2, 2005 (3 issues), Year 3, 2006 onwards (4 issues).
JMSR is indexed in Cabell's Directory of Publishing Opportunities in Management.
|
