562 International Journal of Scientific Management and Development International Journal of Scientific Management and Development ISSN:2345-3974 Vol.2 (10), 562-568 October (2014) Research Paper Relationship between religious beliefs, workplace happiness and organizational commitment Ali Mehdad 1 *, Maryam Iranpour 2 1*Department of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran 2Department of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran Available online at: www.IJSMD.Com Received 20th April 2014, Revised 10th May 2014, Accepted 19th May 2014 Abstract The Main Purpose of this research was to study the relationships between religious beliefs, workplace happiness and organizational commitment in Mobarake’s Muhammad Rasulollah hospital in Isfahan, Iran. In a sample of 202 employees from the mentioned hospital, which were selected via random sampling, a set of questionnaires consisting of religious beliefs (Serajzade, 1998), organizational commitment (Meyer & Allen, 1990) and happiness in workplace (Mehdad et al. 2012) were used. Data were analyzed with the use of Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Correlations demonstrated that both components of religious beliefs were related significantly to happiness at workplace, affective commitment was related significantly to both components of religious beliefs and happiness at workplace, continuous commitment was related significantly to emotional religious and related negatively to happiness at workplace, and normative commitment was related negatively to both components of religious beliefs and happiness at workplace. Furthermore, results of simultaneous regression analysis revealed that the emotional religious beliefs would predict happiness in workplace and results of stepwise regression analysis revealed that happiness in workplace and religious beliefs would predict significantly affective, continuance and normative commitment. Therefore, based on current research’s results, organizational commitment and happiness in workplace could be enhanced by reinforcing the religious beliefs. Key words: religious beliefs, workplace happiness, organizational commitment Introduction: Religious beliefs include collection of behaviors, beliefs and relevant attitudes with religion principles, sub-principles and other relevant areas to religion. Religious is an organized system of believes including tradition, ethical values, customs and participation in a religious society for a stronger belief in God or a superior power (Walsh, 2009). Religion meets many of the critical needs of human being and fills ethical, emotional and moral gaps, empowers hope and strength in individual, reinforces ethical and moral specifications of person and communities, provides a strong base for human against problems and life deprivations (Heidari, Asgari, Marashian, Khorrami, 2009). Religious beliefs has principles that if people have them, they will let the human free of problems and keeps him away from moral worries and provides the fields for flourishing of human talents (Azarbaijani, & Mousaviasl, 2007). Based on Harvey & Callan (2014), individual differences in religiosity predict participants’ justice reasoning. In addition, religiosity is one of the critical factors effective on happiness (Argyle, 2004) and religion is a key factor in determining values and consequently happiness levels. It appears that having a belief in a higher being or God is quite pervasive (Walker, 2013). Islam religion, which is guaranteeing the interest of this world and the other, confirms appropriate and halal happiness and it beware its followers from depression and lethargy. Cases such as appreciating the efforts and goodness of others, enjoying divine gifts, acting positively and thinking optimistically, being cheerful, living in the moment, appearance adornment, being satisfied with the life are samples of happiness which one can experience in its life. Conducted researches (e.g., Kazemian & Mehrabizadeh, 2009; Ghamari, 2010; Hadaway, 1987, cited in Myers, 2000, Ferriss, 2002; Inglehart, 2010, Miller, 2003, Kim, Duberstein, Evinge, 2004, cited in Sanagouie, JanBozorgi, & Mahdavian, 2011) have indicated a positive relationship between religion and happiness. Therefore, it can b e said that religion and religious orientations are among the critical factors effective on happiness. Halman, Heunk, Demoor (1987) expressed that religious activities and presence at religious ceremonies increase individual’s happiness. In justifying this situation, they mention the social support that is the result of participation in collective activities. researchers states that by taking advantage of morality, the managers can not only improve efficiency at their organization, but also more important than that they can achieve comfort and internal satisfaction or a long-term happiness and provide the field to love their coworkers and via this friendship, their colleagues can benefit from internal happiness and satisfaction. According to these studies, one can say that happiness is from many extents depend on the individual’s way of thinking and everyone experiences it differently. When the needs of human are met and he achieves his interests, a feeling and excitement is created in him, which is interpreted as happiness and gay and it is equivalent to terms such as happiness, gay, joy. Individuals with higher levels of happiness have been shown to be better citizens, react better to bad situations, have higher levels of innovation, have more fulfilling relationships (New Economics Foundation(NEF), 2011, cited in Johnson & Huet, 2012 ), and have better health (Lyubomirsky, King, & Diener, 2005, cited in Johnson & Huet, 2012). Argyle (2004), believes that many factors are involved in creation of happiness that by the judgment of individual it is predicated as the degree or rate of desirability of its whole life such as wealth, health, religion, social support, employment, recreation. Theoretically and conceptually, happiness is an issue depending to the individual especially the approach of the person which is composed of gratification, exhilaration, energy and positive thinking (Nathanson, 2009). Veenhoven (1988, cited in Abedi, 2002) provides the most comprehensive and while most operative definition from happiness and exhilaration. *Correspondent Author: Ali Mehdad 1* (alimahdad.am@gmail.com) Manuscript No: IJSMD-KINA-2014-250