Spirituality-Based Human Resource Management: Managerial Lessons from PT Waroeng Steak Indonesia
Abstract
Background: Integrating spiritual values into human resource management (HRM) has emerged as a compelling organizational imperative, particularly in contexts where religious observance paradoxically coexists with persistent workplace ethical failures. Despite growing scholarly interest in spirituality-based management, empirical studies examining how Islamic spiritual values are systematically operationalized within a company's HRM architecture remain limited, especially in the Indonesian culinary business sector.
Research Gap: Empirical studies examining how Islamic spiritual values are systematically operationalized within a company's HRM architecture remain limited, especially in the Indonesian culinary business sector. Previous research has largely examined spirituality and religiosity as isolated variables rather than as integrated components of HRM systems, leaving the mechanisms through which spiritual values translate into measurable organizational outcomes insufficiently explained.
Novelty: This study uniquely examines how a company operationalizes spirituality-based HRM through its "work as worship" philosophy, embedding Islamic values including amanah, ihsan, and tawhid directly into its Performance Management System. It identifies six measurable organizational outcomes and demonstrates how the Company Spiritual Program serves as the primary HRM mechanism transforming spiritual intention into institutionally accountable performance.
Method: This research employs a qualitative approach within an interpretive paradigm. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews with founders, managers, and employees of PT Waroeng Steak Indonesia, and documentation review of internal policies and spiritual governance frameworks. Data analysis followed the Miles and Huberman interactive model, encompassing iterative stages of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing, verified through member checking and source triangulation.
Results: PT Waroeng Steak Indonesia operationalizes spirituality-based HRM through its "work as worship" philosophy, embedding Islamic values including amanah, ihsan, and tawhid directly into its Performance Management System. This integration produces six measurable organizational outcomes: fraud prevention, enhanced employee productivity, workplace harmony, strengthened organizational reputation, sustainable growth, and significantly reduced employee turnover. The Company Spiritual Program, active since 2010, serves as the primary HRM mechanism that transforms spiritual intention into institutionally accountable performance.
Conclusion: Spirituality-based HRM constitutes a pragmatically sound and empirically validated management paradigm. Organizations that systematically embed universal spiritual values into their HRM architecture cultivate intrinsically motivated, ethically grounded workforces that generate sustainable competitive advantages inimitable by conventional management approaches.
References
Abidah, A., Muhammad, E., & Bakri, M. (2022). Al-Qu’ran dan Islamic Entrepreneur: Abdurrahman Bin Auf. El Barka: Journal of Islamic Economics and Business, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.21154/elbarka.v5i1.3881
Adinugraha, H. H., & Rismawati, S. D. (2025). Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif Ekonomi Syariah (1st ed.). PT Nasya Expanding Management. https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Metodologi_Penelitian_Kualitatif_Ekonomi/DnE-EQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1
Ana Sofia Herawati, Siti Mardah, Aida Vitria, Gusti Meinar Girda Ariani, Nurul Hasanah, & Lamsah Lamsah. (2025). From Mind to Soul : A Bibliometric Analysis of IQ, EQ, and SQ in Aca-demic Research. Jurnal Riset Rumpun Ilmu Sosial, Politik Dan Humaniora, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.55606/jurrish.v4i3.5770
Andrei, O. (2023). Enhancing religious education through emotional and spiritual intelligence. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 79(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v79i1.7887
Ar Rahmah, R. (2020). Penerapan Etika Bisnis Islam Pada Waroeng Steak And Shake Medan. AT-TAWASSUTH: Jurnal Ekonomi Islam, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.30829/ajei.v5i2.8091
Arokiasamy, L., Fujikawa, T., Piaralal, S. K., & Arumugam, T. (2023). Role of HRM Practices in Organization Performance: A Survey Approach. International Journal of Sociotechnology and Knowledge Development, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.4018/IJSKD.334555
Avey, J. B., & Holley, E. (2024). Architecting human resource management systems with positive psychological capital. Organizational Dynamics, 53(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2024.101082
Cardillo, M. A. dos R., & Basso, L. F. C. (2025). Revisiting knowledge on ESG/CSR and financial performance: A bibliometric and systematic review of moderating variables. Journal of Innovation and Knowledge, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100648
Chen, W., Li, A., Pan, C., Yu, T., Ali, A., & Sun, Y. (2026). Algorithmic management in the workplace: A systematic review and topic modeling integration using BERTopic. International Journal of Information Management, 86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2025.102994
Eswaran, M. (2025). Work as Worship: An Investigation into Some of its Economic and Wellbeing Effects. Journal of Economics, Management and Religion, 06(02). https://doi.org/10.1142/s2737436x25400060
Fathoni, W., Wahyuni, S., Ansori, A., & Yusup, M. (2026). Etika Kerja Islami dan Pencegahan Malpraktik. RIGGS: Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Business, 4(4). https://doi.org/10.31004/riggs.v4i4.5283
Gerhart, B., & Feng, J. (2021). The Resource-Based View of the Firm, Human Resources, and Human Capital: Progress and Prospects. Journal of Management, 47(7). https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206320978799
Hartawan, R. E. A., & Muthohar, M. (2023). The Effect of Islamic Marketing Mix Strategy on Purchasing Decisions at Waroeng Steak and Shake in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Jurnal Economic Resource, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.57178/jer.v6i1.654
Hendratmoko, S. (2019). Pengaruh Lokasi dan Harga terhadap Kepuasan Konsumen dengan Gaya Hidup sebagai Variabel Intervening (Studi pada Waroeng Steak and Shake Cabang Yogyakarta). JMK (Jurnal Manajemen Dan Kewirausahaan), 4(2). https://doi.org/10.32503/jmk.v4i2.432
Hendricks, G., & Ludeman, K. (1996). The Corporate Mystic: A Guidebook for Visionaries with Their Feet on the Ground. Bantam Books. https://books.google.co.id/books/about/The_Corporate_Mystic.html?id=h_sJAQAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y
Hidayah, S. N. M. (2023). Employee Recruitment in Islamic Perspective (Analysis of Employee Recruitment Process at Waroeng Steak & Shake). TAWAZUN : Journal of Sharia Economic Law, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.21043/tawazun.v5i2.13769
Jamaludin, M., & Rahmadi Bagus Wijaya. (2024). Qur’anic Foundations of Strategic HRM: Applying Makki and Madani Verses in Islamic Educational Institutions. Journal of Islamic Education Management Research, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.14421/jiemr.2024.22-02
Khan, S. M., & Mahmud, N. (2024). Spiritual Leadership and Organizational Commitment-An Empirical Review. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(12). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v14-i12/24186
Khoirin, N., & Junaedi, M. (2022). Religious inconsistency on corruption behaviouamong Muslim politicians in Indonesia. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 78(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v78i1.7361
Maharana, N. (2024). Spiritual Capital and Business Sustainability: A Secular Perspective. In New Approaches to the Scientific Study of Religion (Vol. 15). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-67360-3_30
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., University, J. S., & Data. (2021). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook. In Learning Sciences Research for Teaching.
Muafi, & Uyun, Q. (2019). The Contribution of Strategic HRM and Islamic HRM Practices. International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, 9(4), 65–72. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarafms/v9-i4/6659
Mubarok, E. S., Subarjo, B., Raihan, R., Wiwin, W., & Bandawaty, E. (2023). Determinants of customer satisfaction and loyalty Waroeng Steak Restaurant in DKI Jakarta. Cogent Business and Management, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2282739
Muhammad Ihsan Naufal. (2021). Pengaruh Personal dan Lingkungan Fisik Terhadap Kepuasan Pelanggan Café Waroeng Steak and Shake 3. Brainy: Jurnal Riset Mahasiswa, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.23969/brainy.v2i2.42
Nugraheni, P., Alhabshi, S. M., & Rosman, R. (2024). A Framework To Improve The Implementation Of Business Ethics In Islamic Business Organisations. Petita: Jurnal Kajian Ilmu Hukum Dan Syariah, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.22373/petita.v9i1.256
Ohri, K., & Dutta, H. (2025). Values-driven employee engagement: Integrating workplace spirituality, HR practices, and organisational performance in contemporary workplace. In Human Systems Management. https://doi.org/10.1177/01672533251377880
Oktaviannur, M., Redaputri, A. P., Ayunara, M., Dunan, H., & Jayasinga, H. I. (2020). Analysis Of Business Strategy Decision Making In Increasing Sales Of Waroeng Steak And Shake Bandar Lampung. International Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting Research (IJEBAR), 4(03). https://doi.org/10.29040/ijebar.v4i03.1334
Prakoso, A., Triyuwono, I., Purwanti, L., & Roekhudin, R. (2023). How should intellectual capital development? An islamic religious perspective. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 8(5). https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2023.v8i5.1819
Robbins, S. P. & T. A. J. (2024). Organizational Behavior (Global Edition, 19th Edition). In Pearson Education Limited.
Samul, J. (2024). Linking Spiritual Leadership with Other Leadership Concepts: A Literature Review of Four Decades. SAGE Open, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241252402
Saputro, H., & Prasetyo, A. (2015). Pengaruh Etos Kerja Islam Terhadap Kepuasan Kerja Karyawan Pada Waroeng Steak and Shake Surabaya. Jurnal Ekonomi Syariah Teori Dan Terapan, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.20473/vol1iss20143pp161-177
Sartika, M., Isthika, W., & Kinasih, H. W. (2026). Human Resource Management in Sharia Accounting Reporting Within Indonesia’s Halal Industry: A Literature Review. Jurnal Halal Center (JHC), 1(1), 102–114. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.28918/jhc.v1i1.14188
Story, J. S. P., & Neves, P. (2025). Curbing unethical pro-organizational behavior with high-performance work systems: Test of an uncertainty reduction mechanism. European Management Journal, 43(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2024.07.002
Sulaeman, S., Herianingrum, S., Ryandono, M. N. H., Napitupulu, R. M., Hapsari, M. I., Furqani, H., & Bahari, Z. (2025). Islamic business ethics in the framework of higher ethical objective (Maqasid al-Shariah): a comprehensive analysis and future research directions. International Journal of Ethics and Systems. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-12-2024-0398
Syahir, A. N. A., Abidin, M. S. Z., Sa’ari, C. Z., & Rahman, M. Z. A. (2025). Workplace Spirituality and Its Impact on Employee Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review of Global Evidence. Journal of Religion and Health, 64(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-025-02350-2
Trisnawati, E., Wahab, A., & Habbe, H. (2021). Implementasi Etika Berdagang Dengan Sifat Siddiq, Tabligh, Amanah, Fathanah Pada Waroeng Steak And Shake Cabang Boulevard Makassar. Economos : Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.31850/economos.v4i3.912
Vadithe, R. N., Rajput, R. C., & Kesari, B. (2025). Impact of Green HRM implementation on organizational sustainability in IT sector: A mediation analysis. Sustainable Futures, 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.100507
Yudiani, R. A., Ode, W., & Muizu, Z. (2025). The Role Of Transformational Leadership And Organizational Culture On Company Readiness In Transformation at PT Telkom Indonesia Tbk Telkom Regional II Division. In Jurnal Ilmu Sosial (Vol. 23, Issue 1). https://proceeding.unesa.ac.id/index.php/iconbit/article/view/4156
Copyright (c) 2026 Ade Gunawan, Hendri Hermawan Adinugraha, İlyas Erpay
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The authors who publish in the journal agree to the following terms:
- The authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- The authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- The authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
- The authors warrant that the article is original, written by stated author(s), has not been published before, contains no unlawful statements, does not infringe the rights of others, is subject to copyright that is vested exclusively in the author and free of any third-party rights, and that any necessary written permissions to quote from other sources have been obtained by the author(s).
Jurnal Ekonomi dan Bisnis Manajemen Syariah (SEMB-J), Yayasan Darussalam Bengkulu is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Based on a work at https://siducat.org/index.php/sembj/.
