Cultivating a thrive-style culture: Unpacking the secrets of workplace flourishing in the South African workplace

Christine Janse Van Rensburg () and Anthony K Isabirye ()

Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 2025, vol. 9, issue 11, 887-907

Abstract: This study aims to explore workplace flourishing, specifying its conceptual limits, tracking empirical developments, and highlighting challenges and research opportunities. While flourishing at work is progressively endorsed, it lacks conceptual clarity, valid measures, and context-specific research, especially in South Africa’s multicultural, socio-politically complex environment. A systematic literature review was conducted using four databases (Web of Science, SABINET, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar), guided by keywords including: “flourishing,” “well-being,” “culture,” “workplace,” “spirituality,” and “South Africa.” Sources considered eligible included peer-reviewed empirical studies, theoretical papers, and systematic reviews addressing workplace flourishing and associated constructs. Exclusions included duplicates as well as non-English or irrelevant research. This study ensured trustworthiness through double screening, validated critical appraisal tools, multiple-source validation of findings, and backward/forward searching of references. Four key themes emerged: (1) conceptual framework positioning flourishing as a multidimensional construct of emotional, psychological, and social well-being; (2) workplace spirituality as an enabler of meaning, connection, and innovative behaviors; (3) connections among flourishing, engagement, and productivity moderated by organizational culture and leadership; and (4) socio-political, economic, and individual stressors that impede flourishing. The review concludes with recommendations for context-sensitive strategies, policies, and leadership approaches to enhance workplace flourishing, emphasizing the need for culturally grounded frameworks and interventions.

Keywords: Flourishing; Organizational culture; South Africa; Stressors; Workplace. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://learning-gate.com/index.php/2576-8484/article/view/11014/3533 (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ajp:edwast:v:9:y:2025:i:11:p:887-907:id:11014

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology from Learning Gate
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Melissa Fernandes ().