Spiritual Intelligence as a Predictor of Organizational Sustainability: Mediating Role of Academic Optimism

Purpose: Recent assertions and ideas have emphasized that mind is not a thing but a process, the process of cognition, which is identified with the process of life. The brain has a specific structure through which this process operates. Unlike Intelligence Quotient (I.Q.), which computers have, and Emotional Quotient (E.Q.) which exists in higher mammals, Spiritual Quotient (S.Q.) is uniquely human and the most fundamental of the SQ, EQ & IQ. It is linked to humanity’s need for meaning. Attempts to understand SQ (measure of Spiritual Intelligence, SI) is of paramount importance in the new millennium. Spiritual intelligence is a way of thinking which enables longing capacity for meaning, vision and value. To explore it more, this study aims to analyze the predictability of spiritual Intelligence on organizational sustainability through the mediating role of academic optimism i.e., an integrated term comprising academic emphasis, collective efficacy and trust. Methodology: Data for the study will be collected from faculty and their immediate leaders working in private education institutions operating in Pune and Mumbai, India. Based on the random sampling, respondents will be selected and questionnaire method will be used to collect the data. To maintain the anonymity and confidentiality, the questionnaires will be coded and collected in person by the investigator. Findings: The findings indicate that spiritual intelligence enhances the academic optimism i.e. efficacy levels (collective efficacy), trust levels (faculty trust towards students and their parents) and commitment towards academic achievement (academic emphasis) in an effective manner to stimulate organizational sustainability in the long run. Implications: Findings from this study would create awareness and interest about the significance of spiritual intelligence and further studies can be developed to identify the extent of managerial intervention that may cater to the spiritual capabilities of the employees. It would also create awareness and interest among HRD officials in terms of recruitment and selection of people with these capabilities in educational sector. Employees would be more concerned about the appropriate usage and control of their spiritual awareness during the job-related interactions with other people. It would also help in enhancing the productivity of the employees, increasing the employee’s commitment to job, and building strong interpersonal engagement among employees in the organization. It would add to the literature on the study of spiritual intelligence and sustainability. Finally, the study may be potentially conducive to improving people lives and the planet’s health and equilibrium.