In Business with God: The Role of Religion in the Private Sector of Apia, Samoa
Religion, in particular Christianity, has a large impact on Business in Samoa. Through surveys and interviews, this research was able to ascertain areas in which Christianity and business intersect to determine its daily function and the broader implications of doing business in a highly Christian nation. Christianity has taken on its own form of ‘Samoan Christianity’ through the merging of religion and fa’aSamoa which allows business owners facilitate the practice of religion, primarily for their staff members, while not being deeply religious themselves. This ‘Samoan Christianity’ is influenced by the disproportionate number of Catholics represented in the private sector who face fewer practical and financial demands than other denominations along with the assistance of historical privileges gained the status of the Catholic Marist Brothers. Businesses in Apia are heavily impacted by staff loans, theft and cultural demands, but owners maintain a positive outlook on the spiritual benefits that religion brings to their lives. Business owners are heavily critical of organised religion in Samoa, particularly the church and priests, believing fewer financial demands on staff members would ease the negative impacts of religion on business. However, interested in preserving the culture and religion of their unique homeland, business owners have opted to observe religiously motivated practises such as closing on Sundays as they believe this to be more important than financial gain.