Religious Identity and Authenticity in the Workplace
Open Access DepositedA Qualitative Study of Muslim Management Consultants
What are the lived experiences of Muslim management consultants as they navigate the tensions between their religious identity and workplace authenticity?The participants shared their unique stories, highlighting how their religious identity as Muslims shaped their experiences in the demanding, client-facing environment of management consulting. From the data, three key themes emerged
Abstract of DissertationReligious Identity and Authenticity in the Workplace
A Qualitative Study of Muslim Management Consultants The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of Muslim management consultants as they navigate the tensions between their religious identity and workplace authenticity. The research, conducted through a basic qualitative approach with 10 participants, delved into the personal and professional narratives of these individuals across multiple management consulting firms in the United States. The study was guided by the central research question
developing religious identity, navigating tensions between the management consulting environment and authenticity in religious identity expression, and enabling religious identity expression and authenticity. These themes provided a deeper understanding of how Muslim management consultants developed their religious identity prior to entering the workplace, the barriers they faced in expressing their authentic religious selves in consulting environments, and the mechanisms through which they maintained authentic religious expression despite these challenges. The findings contributed to broader interpretations of social identity theory, workplace authenticity, and the role of religious identity in shaping professional experiences. Based on these insights, recommendations for theory, future research and practical applications in organizations were offered. This study emphasizes the need for organizations to recognize and address the nuanced experiences of Muslim professionals to foster truly inclusive workplaces that support authentic religious expression.
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