Conceptualizing Islamic work ethic: A systematic review of definitions, dimensions and frameworks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/jeeir.vi.12461Keywords:
Islamic Work Ethics, Organizational behaviour, Work values, HRM, EmployeesAbstract
This systematic review aims to collate empirical evidence regarding the conceptualization of Islamic Work Ethic (IWE) in management research from 2010 to 2026, specifically in terms of its definition, dimensionality, and theoretical underpinnings. A Scopus search was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, resulting in 476 records being found, which were then screened using three stages to arrive at 50 peer-reviewed empirical studies. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies was used to evaluate the quality of the studies, and the findings were analysed using inductive thematic coding by two independent reviewers. Five definitional clusters were identified: spiritual-moral obligation, task-focused diligence, collectivist duty, relational integrity, and value-based stewardship. The majority of studies viewed IWE as a unidimensional construct, with adaptations of an early scale validated in Arabic, and theoretical underpinning was generally lacking. In cases where theory was applied, social exchange, conservation of resources, and resource-based perspectives were most prevalent. IWE was most commonly studied as an antecedent variable, but few studies considered potential confounding variables. From these results, a preliminary Tawhīdic-Contextual conceptual model is proposed which connects each definitional cluster to the underlying psychological mechanisms and to the relevant mid-range theories. The evidence indicates that IWE positively impacts on ethical leadership outcomes and reduces the impact of destructive leadership in HRM practice, especially in Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia. Multidimensional measurement, cross-national invariance testing, longitudinal and experimental designs, and wider geographical coverage should be the focus of future research.
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