Spiritual Leadership in a Muslim Country - Research Paper Example

Spiritual Leadership in a Muslim Country Name: Course: Instructor: Date: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Spiritual Leadership in a Muslim Country 3 1.0 Introduction 3 1.1. Research questions 4 2.0 Background 4 3.0 Statement of Problem 6 4.0 Literature Review 7 5.0 Purpose 8 V.1. Study hypothesis 9 6.0 Assumptions 9 7.0 Methodology 9 7.1 Data Collection 10 7.2 Data Collection and Presentation 10 References 11 Spiritual Leadership in a Muslim Country 1.0 Introduction Spiritual leadership entails numerous principles that are similar to those of general leadership. However, spiritual leadership encompasses specific distinctive qualities that individuals and followers must comprehend and practice to ensure the success of spiritual leadership. In the private sector, spiritual leadership impacts the service delivery process as organizations and companies seek to provide innovative and quality products to meet the consumer needs effectively (Fry, 2008). Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is a global leader in the manufacturer of metals, plastics, and chemicals among other products. Spiritual leadership main purpose is to transition people towards Gods will through influence using the word of God and other teachings. Spiritual leadership in a Muslim country exerts its influence spiritually and politically, and Shia Imam’s have theoretically exercised the two types of power. Historically, different sects in a Muslim country spiritual leadership are based on varied rules for succession as well as the power bestowed to the caliph. Leaders are individuals who rule, inspire and influence others in one way or the other towards the achievement of a common goal. Spiritual leaders in a Muslim country such includes different rankings such the Amami, Caliphs, Sunni Caliphs, Imams, Grand Imam, Allamah and Sheikhs among others who influence their followers towards a common vision, faith and love that ultimately promotes followers commitment and cooperation in a Muslim country. This research paper seeks to discuss spiritual leadership in a Muslim country with a focus in the private sector. The private sector seeks to meet peoples through the production of goods and services to effectively meet consumers needs, SABIC Company will be an important reference point in this research in seeking to provide a deeper insight into spiritual leadership in a Muslim country. SABIC company is headquartered in Riyadh Saudi Arabia and engages in numerous industrial activities in cities such as Yanbu and Al-Jubail. The company is constantly seeking to improve the future through innovation and technology globally to ensure sustainability. The leadership of the company is composed of Muslim leaders who headed by Prince Saudi bin Abdullah bin Thunayan Al-Saud, who is the Chairman. A close analysis of this company reveals that its leadership is comprehensive and spiritual leadership is a contributing factor to its successful operations globally. Indeed, the company’s vision is based on curiosity and empathy that are important elements towards fully understanding the customer’s challenges and develop products that effectively meet these needs through effective leadership (Takala, 2010). 1.1. Research questions The following research questions serves as a guideline for this research; I. What are the main aspects of spiritual leadership in Muslim? II. What is the importance of decision making in spiritual leadership in a Muslim country? III. What are key elements of an effective spiritual leader in a Muslim country? IV. What is the role of women and diversity in spiritual leadership among Muslims? 2.0 Background Effective leadership in the private sector is normally manifest through the ability to meet the consumer needs and engaging in corporate social responsibility. The consumer needs have been evolving overtime necessitating companies and organizations to change to accommodate new perspectives that address current issues holistically. Spiritual leadership just like the wider realm of general leadership has been key in addressing issues that affect the society in general as well as Muslim believers. Leaders and individuals encounter issues that demand a solution and therefore they have to make efficient and effective decisions to overcome them. Some situations may be complex and perplexing especially during critical moments, but bold decisions have to be made if leaders and individuals or followers have to succeed on a given situation. However, the approaches individuals use to arrive at some decisions determine the outcomes of a given situation. Most decisions involve the recognition of a particular need, the decision or the will to change as well as the conscious commitment to implement the decision to change. In a highly dynamic world particularly the business world, leaders have to make decisions to build successful nations, organizations and also spiritual faith that remain sustainable in the face of uncertainty and competition (Gill, 2015). Decision making in spiritual leadership in its wider perspective therefore integrates many elements and perspectives that enhance making of routine or none routine decisions and objective or bounded rationality decisions during times of risk, uncertainty as well as certainty. Indeed, spiritual leadership has increasingly sought to accommodate these realms of leadership in alignment to the word of God that promises prosperity. Through the Quran, Muslim nation’s spiritual leadership finds an important guide that contains the principles of living and aligning Muslim beliefs, values and culture to what the Quran teaches. Globalization, for instance, is a force that has permeated all nations globally, and the Muslim countries are not an exceptional. Spiritual leadership and decision making have been a critical factor towards improved leadership in most Muslim countries (Adlrich, 2011). Globalization has greatly changed the way organizations function and make critical decisions as well as the management practices in an attempt to meet and apply global standards that increase efficiency and effectiveness. The extent to which globalization impacts on a country is influenced by factors such as culture, religion, and social systems among others. Most Muslim countries are characterized by complex political, legal, cultural, and religious systems that have led to the slow pace in embracing globalization in its organizations and management. However, the Muslim countries have had reforms over the years to ensure the social, economic, and political systems are aligned to the global standards in order to promote leadership and managerial effectiveness as well as competitive business internationally. These efforts are also aimed at enhancing mutual understanding with other nations internationally in order to improve their economies as well as other important sectors and organizations that require modern decision making approaches to thrive in the global economy (Transaction Periodicals Consortium & University of Kansas. (2010). 3.0 Statement of Problem The impacts of spiritual leadership on organizations and companies in Muslim countries have been experienced across different sectors of the economy both public and private especially in an attempt to meet the challenges of increased need for high technologies and professional expatriates in key sectors of the economy in the Muslim countries. Most spiritual leadership systems have changed their policies to allow implementation of globalized leadership styles and decision-making processes that are more accommodating and efficient. Additionally, Muslim countries had significant reforms on leadership and management embracing total quality management especially in the management of its key sectors to promote performance and productivity especially in the private sector, and SABIC is not an exceptional. This has been necessitated by the political, economic, social, and global factors that are key contributors of spiritual organizational leadership. The increased interdependent and interconnectedness of the world has seen Muslim being influenced by Western forces towards embracing holistic leadership approaches towards improved management and leadership in organizations and companies both in the private and public sector (Dessler, 2008). Most organizations in Muslim countries have had a conservative culture protecting women through gender segregation that was promoted by religious beliefs. These rigid religious beliefs based on spiritual leadership impact their influences in most organizations leadership and decision making as well as management especially in the enforcement of dress code manifest in Muslim women. Most organizations have therefore embraced reforms in leadership approaches adopting more friendly and accommodative policies that allow global values and enhance interactions among the citizens and foreigners. In fact, this has encouraged modernization in leadership in most Muslim countries. Organizations are allowing technological innovations in order to manage effectively and lead critical sectors and infrastructure as well as information systems that remain important factors of promoting managerial effectiveness at all levels (Buchanan &Huczynski, 2010). SABIC is one corporation that has been in the forefront towards improved leadership that drives growth and productivity. 4.0 Literature Review In leadership, most organizations fail to recognize the broader context of effective leadership and the possibility of achieving unified markets and technologies in their respective organizations (Perry & Hondeghem, 2008). Effective spiritual leadership, therefore, becomes an issue as opposed to a strength that could potentially transform organizations leadership and management for the better. However, modernization programs in Muslim countries have expanded the possibility of market growth through improved leadership, decision-making and increased international relations. Most top management personnel in Muslim countries and in a company like SABIC in Riyadh Saudi Arabia sought effective leadership and managerial practices as an opportunity in developing successful organizations that have gained global presence and success to be a market leader in its business (White & American Society for Public Administration, 2007). Additionally, most Muslim countries have experienced rapid, new and unique influences from other nations necessitating appropriate changes leadership policies in order to integrate all the elements of decision making to ensure leadership, management and operations of key positions in the different Muslim counties are effective. It is therefore evident that leadership effectiveness is fundamental in countries and leadership, consequently improving the overall performance of organizations (Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory). The adoption of appropriate decision making processes towards spiritual leadership not on only allows progress in a country but also facilitates operations in the main leadership functions allowing nations to make appropriate and viable decisions that lead to the accomplishment of set goals. SABIC is an example of such a company 5.0 Purpose The purpose of this study is to establish the aspects of spiritual leadership in a Muslim country as it relates to private sector leadership in SABIC Corporation located in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. This paper provides a deeper insight into spiritual leadership in a Muslim county especially in the private sector. The objectives of the study include: I. To identify how spiritual leadership influences business operations II. To identify key decision-making areas related to effective spiritual leadership. III. To identify the value of innovative leadership towards success IV. To establish how SABIC leadership has thrived in a competitive global environment. V. To identify the different levels of spiritual leadership in Muslim countries. V.1. Study hypothesis 1. The private sector requires innovative leadership in a highly dynamic world to organizations and corporations to realize their goals through increased productivity and performance at all levels. 2. Spiritual leadership just like general leadership bears important perspectives that seek to promote performance and guidance towards the achievement of the set goals. 3. Effective management is inclined towards a holistic approach in decision making aligned to the needs of consumers. 4. Leadership theories are an important reference point for effective leaders and also key in spiritual leadership towards making followers move towards the desired goals. 6.0 Assumptions This research paper is based on the assumption that leadership in its broad perspective has important aspects that leaders must integrate into their functions towards successful private sector operations. Spiritual leadership has distinctive features that are critical towards guiding people to a higher course. 7.0 Methodology The research employs an analysis of SABIC Corporation to identify factors that influence and contribute to its success as they relate to leadership and spiritual leadership. It also includes a survey of comparative business and their leadership approaches. The researcher seeks to identify the critical elements that contribute private sector success through spiritual leadership as well as the differences between general leadership and spiritual leadership. 7.1 Data Collection Data will be collected using questionnaires as it is an effective method for data collection to reinforce the objectives of the research. All information gathered will be recorded according in a suitable media to analyze and find conclusive information regarding the research. 7.2 Data Collection and Presentation All the collected data will be presented using suitable tools to ensure data validity and accuracy. This may include tables and graphs as well as charts. References Aldrich, P. (2011). Human Resource Management in Asia-Pacific. Retrieved from http://workspace.unpan.org/sites/internet/Documents/UNPAN92538.pdf Blanchard, K. (2014). Public vs. Private Sector: The Big Five Elements of Effective Leadership and the Five Corresponding Outcomes. 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