Sanerya Hendrawan
A recent interest in the study of human capital, particularly in The West, which take into account the spiritual dimension of man should be understood as a remarkable progress. This is not exaggerated given the fact that this dimension has no longer considered important aspect since the rise of what so-called modern sciences in European's Renaisance of the seventeenth centuries. Under the flag of Positivism, scientific claims are strictly limited to observable and measurable phenemona. Spiritual claims are regarded only as a remnant of the traditional past which merely hampers the progress of science and technology. While the achievement of scientific and technological development has been notable especially in terms of man's increasing control capacity over nature, its direction and impacts on man life in this planet are unbearable. To be precise, the loss of spirituality from the work of sciences and their results have threatened the sustainability of this planet, thus making the continuing true existence of man himself at risk.
Now, with the recognition of spiritual dimension in the pychological make-up of man, a new form of organizational capital is emerging, not only being confined to phisical and intelectual capital, but also including spiritual capital. Together, these three capitals affect the long term success of the organization in the market arena.
The significance of spiritual capital in affecting competitive advantage of organization is beyond doubt as, for instance, quality has been transformed from a mere statistic, and then total quality management, to metaphisical quality, or as long-term learning of organization is affected vitally by deeply spiritual meanings people derives from their engagement in the organizational life.
This new reality of capital has important implications for managing and developing human capital in organizations. Some deserve attention here. First of all, there should be a shift of mind among managers and leaders in looking at human psyche and its dynamics. Now widely recognized that the Western concept of human psyche is too supervicial, being unable to penetrate into the more subtle and even transendental dimension of the psyche. Secondly, nurturing spiritual quality at individual and collective levels should be the concern of every leader and manager. Here they should become the model of a spiritual path finder, which together with all employee pursue spiritual progress through their dedication to the noblest goals of their organizations.
