FAVOURITISM IN THE WORKPLACE: A REVIEW OF ITS CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/ijim.19.2.2025.11647Keywords:
Favouritism, Leadership, Management, Human Resource, People Development, Talent ManagementAbstract
This review is a synthesis of contemporary literature between 2020 and 2024 to explore the causes, consequences, and mitigation strategies associated with workplace favouritism. It identifies key drivers of workplace favouritism, including interpersonal relationships, power dynamics, and leadership styles, which contribute to inequitable resource distribution, discriminatory practices, and the formation of in-groups and out-groups within organisations. The findings highlight significant consequences, such as reduced job satisfaction, heightened employee cynicism, and diminished organisational citizenship, ultimately undermining organisational effectiveness. Some potential mitigations in addressing these issues include enhancing transparency, adopting merit-based systems, and leveraging emerging technologies, which can potentially help organisations foster fairness and trust. Future research should examine cultural and demographic variations in perceptions of favouritism and explore innovative frameworks for promoting equity in diverse workplaces.
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