Our focus in this volume is on how spiritual and religious practices may provide more considered approaches and insights into management education. Spiritual and religious approaches tend to recognize the transcendent self in an interconnected and interdependent world; that can include the more-than-human and account for a deeper systemic level of engagement (Pavlovich, 2025). Indeed, as Heisenberg states (1990, p. 219), there is "a central spiritual order of all things" currently overlooked in our dualistic world that has separated spirit from matter. These alternative understandings may contribute to addressing the above challenges (Ehrnström-Fuentes, 2022). While pioneers in the field of Management, Spirituality, and Religion started integrating these concepts in management education over twenty years ago (see Bento, 2000; Biberman et al., 1998; Delbecq, 2000; Lips-Wiersma, 2004; Pavlovich, 2008 & 2010), these courses are still considered risky for educators to undertake and often are siloed from the dominant discourse within the broader program. This divide is surprising given that 84% of the world's population identify themselves with some form of religious grouping (Sherwood, 2018). Thus, there remains a general reluctance to publicly acknowledge religion and spirituality within organizational life as it challenges fundamental beliefs regarding the rationality of science (Pavlovich & Markman, 2020). This 'elephant in the room', and the fact that religion is commonly stigmatized by our scientific community, are the main reasons why we are featuring the chapters in this volume.
We encourage contributions that are radical, edgy and controversial. You may have a manuscript that was considered "too interdisciplinary" for traditional journals, but has a good story to tell. We would love to consider it for our book volume. Our scope is broad – theoretical, empirical, essays and descriptive – as long as the manuscripts are informed by scholarship. We welcome all spiritual, religious, indigenous and traditional perspectives – as long as they directly connect to management and/or business.
Suggested topics (but not limited too) could include:
· Ontological perspectives that challenge our current understandings of reality that may include the more-than-human;
· Epistemological perspectives that challenge dualistic thinking; replacing it with relational and participatory transformations;
· Methodological perspectives that illustrate different forms of contemplative practices.
Key dates
Submissions will be evaluated through a double blind review process on: fit with the pedagogical focus; theoretical contribution; methodological clarity; practical implications; and writing quality. The submission package should include abstracts: 1–2 pages with (i) research question, (ii) education setting and pedagogy, (iii) literature, (iv) method/type of contribution, (v) 3–5 key references.
Please follow APA 7th edition; figures/tables permissions policy; language expectations (inclusive, non-romanticized treatment of Indigenous knowledge). Formatting: 12-pt Times New Roman, 1.5 line spacing; 6,000–8,000 words including references, notes, and appendices. Abstracts are due by 1 November 2025; with final submissions 31 January 2026. A final draft of the book will be submitted to the publisher (World Scientific, Singapore) by September 2026. For further information please contact both the guest editors: Kathryn Pavlovich kathryn.pavlovich@waikato.ac.nz & Stacie Chappell stacie.chappell@gmail.com
Warmly Kathryn and Stacie