Repository logo
 

A Comparative Systematic Review of Empirical Research Into Workplace Friendship: Hospitality Versus Non-hospitality Contexts

Files

Journal article(3.11 MB)

Date

2025-04-04

Authors

Bui, Anh Minh
Zhu, Dan
Kim, Peter B

Supervisor

Item type

Journal Article

Degree name

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Abstract

Friendship is a fundamental pillar of human existence, shaping both personal and professional lives. While extensive research has highlighted these benefits across various industries, their implications within the hospitality sector remain unexamined. Furthermore, existing studies are fragmented and lack theoretical coherence and continuity, which limits their applicability for scholars and practitioners. This study systematically reviewed 112 empirical studies (including 38 focused on hospitality) sourced from six major academic databases. Findings reveal a strong regional bias in existing research, a scarcity of qualitative studies, and a predominant focus on the positive effects of workplace friendship, with limited attention to potential downsides such as favoritism, conflict, and emotional strain. By synthesizing insights across hospitality and non-hospitality contexts, this study proposes four strategic recommendations to guide future research and inform managerial practices, equipping hospitality organizations with evidence-based strategies to foster productive workplace relationships while mitigating risks.

Description

Keywords

3504 Commercial Services, 35 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services, 3507 Strategy, Management and Organisational Behaviour, 1504 Commercial Services, 1505 Marketing, 1506 Tourism, Sport, Leisure & Tourism, 3504 Commercial services, 3508 Tourism

Source

International Journal of Hospitality Management, ISSN: 0278-4319 (Print), Elsevier BV, 129(J. Fam. Bus. Manag. 12 1 2022), 104209-104209. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2025.104209

DOI

10.1016/j.ijhm.2025.104209

Publisher's version

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027843192500132X

Rights statement

© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Permanent link

http://hdl.handle.net/10292/19121

Collections

School of Hospitality and Tourism - Te Kura Taurimatanga me te Mahi Tāpoi