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Literature Review
The CENTRAL SPIRIT Framework: A Narrative Review of Organizational Culture at Central Philippine University
A World Journal of Human Dynamics and Social Relations
Volume 7 | Issue 1 | 2026 | 222 – 235
Rev. Dr. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on1, ORCID No. 0009-0000-3657-8662
Dr. Hermely A. Jalando-on1, ORCID No. 0009-0008-6141-2240
1Faculty, College of Theology, Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines
2Faculty, College of Business and Accountancy, Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines
Article History:
Initial submission: 26 February 2026
First decision: 28 February 2026
Revision received: 01 April 2026
Accepted for publication: 10 April 2026
Online release: 25 April 2026
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Abstract
This narrative literature review examines the organizational culture of Central Philippine University (CPU) through the CENTRAL SPIRIT framework an institution-specific acrostic representing 13 interconnected dimensions of Centralian identity. Founded in 1905 by American Baptist missionaries, CPU has sustained a distinctive faith-based culture despite pressures of secularization, generational change, and market-driven higher education. Following Baumeister and Leary’s (1997) narrative review methodology, the study purposively synthesized historical documents, institutional publications, dissertations (2007-2025), and University Research Center satisfaction surveys (AY 2024-2025). The CENTRAL SPIRIT framework served as both the organizing structure for data collection and the analytical lens for synthesizing evidence across sources, with each dimension guiding theme identification and cross-temporal comparison. Findings reveal strong continuity in spiritual vitality (‘Very Satisfied’ levels across students, faculty, and staff in AY 2024-2025 URC summaries, adaptive reinforcement of core values and servant leadership post-2019, and persistent relational/academic stability, with minor resource-related tensions (e.g., scholarship satisfaction decline). The synthesized evidence demonstrates that the 13 CENTRAL SPIRIT dimensions manifest in worship/CEW practices (C, T, R, I), servant/pastoral leadership (S, P), SEAL values integration (I), alumni loyalty (L), faith-grounded excellence (A), and holistic formation (T). Robust alignment exists between espoused Baptist-Christian ideals and empirical outcomes (high satisfaction, commitment correlations, continuity across time), demonstrating the framework’s utility as both legacy and diagnostic tool. Implications for sustaining faith-based culture include intentional leadership modeling, deeper faith-learning integration, equitable resource strategies, relational reinforcement, and regular cultural monitoring to counter contemporary challenges. The study contributes a culturally resonant analytical lens for mission-driven institutions and offers practical guidance for renewal in complex academic environments.
Keywords: Central Spirit, organizational culture, faith-based higher education, Baptist identity, servant leadership, Christian education, narrative literature review
Cite this article
APA (7th edition)
Jalando-on, F. N. G., & Jalando-on, H. A. (2026). The CENTRAL SPIRIT framework: A narrative review of organizational culture at Central Philippine University. Social Science Lens: A World Journal of Human Dynamics and Social Relations, 7(1), 221–234. https://doi.org/10.62718/vmca.ssl-wjhdsr.7.1.SC-0226-032.
Author contributions
Francis Neil G. Jalando-on: Introduction, Discussion, References
Hermely A. Jalando-on: Methods, Results
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Both authors are affiliated with Central Philippine University, the institution examined in this study. To minimize potential bias, the following steps were taken: critical appraisal of sources against established quality criteria (Baumeister & Leary, 1997); reflexive analysis to address assumptions arising from institutional affiliation; cross-verification of empirical claims against original source materials; and transparent acknowledgment of limitations in the Methods section, including insider bias and social desirability effects. Additionally, all dissertations included in this review underwent evaluation by external experts serving as panel members outside the university, providing an independent layer of quality assurance. These procedures strengthen the objectivity and credibility of the study.
Institutional ethics review statement
This narrative review synthesized publicly available documents and institutional summary reports and did not involve primary data collection or interaction with human participants. In accordance with institutional policy, formal ethics approval was not required. Findings from internal University Research Center (URC) survey were used in accordance with institutional policy.
Data availability statement
Due to ethical restrictions, the data are not publicly available but may be obtained from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Declaration of generative AI use/assistance
Grammarly was used to check the grammar, the authors reviewed and approved all content.
Acknowledgement
– (not available).
Publisher’s disclaimer
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. The publisher disclaims any responsibility for errors or omissions.