Karma yogis at work: Exploring enablers of karma yoga at the workplace

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to identify and examine the key factors contributing to karma yoga and the hierarchical relationships between them, developing a model that captures their mutual interactions. Design/methodology/approach This study uses PRISMA for the literature review, and total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) and MICMAC analysis for model building. It is a qualitative technique based on rigorous expert inputs. Findings Results reveal that the fundamental driving factors at the base of the model are socialisation, shraddha or faith in the higher power, self-reflection and spiritual quotient. These independent factors are interrelated. One linkage factor emerged according to MICMAC analysis − viveka, or the faculty of discrimination. Dependent factors include equanimity, service consciousness, meaningful work and anasakti (non-attachment). Research limitations/implications The findings contribute to building a robust framework that can be empirically validated and can also contribute to developing meaningful interventions for enhancing performance, work efficiency and overall well-being in the workplace. Originality/value The originality of the research lies in the socio-scientific modelling of the enablers of karma yoga using TISM and MICMAC analysis. No study till now, as per the authors’ best knowledge, has focused on understanding and modelling the antecedents/enablers of karma yoga.