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Mapping workplace compassion research across the social sciences: A bibliometric review

Author

Listed:
  • Hannah Kunst
  • Eliza Byington
  • Anya Johnson
  • Helena Nguyen

Abstract

To advance scientific knowledge on workplace compassion, we need to know ‘where we are now’ to identify ‘where to go next’. This article provides a systematic review of workplace compassion research, spanning almost 30 years and 1433 articles across the social sciences. We employ bibliometric techniques to (1) identify and map the literature’s intellectual foundations with a co-citation map revealing 595 key journals, (2) provide an interactive topic map showing 267 key research topics, (3) reveal the most frequent, trending, and most-cited article topics, and (4) provide an empirically derived taxonomy of two primary topic clusters: Compassionate Labour (e.g. research in healthcare settings, where compassion is relevant to the work being done), and Mental Health (e.g. research on burnout, compassion fatigue/empathic distress, compassion satisfaction, stress, interventions). We review key research themes in these clusters and identify promising future research directions to advance the field. JEL classification: I10, J21, M10

Suggested Citation

  • Hannah Kunst & Eliza Byington & Anya Johnson & Helena Nguyen, 2025. "Mapping workplace compassion research across the social sciences: A bibliometric review," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 50(3), pages 665-705, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ausman:v:50:y:2025:i:3:p:665-705
    DOI: 10.1177/03128962251358615
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    1. Helena Nguyen & Anya Johnson & Lynne Reeder & Felicia Huppert, 2025. "Managing with compassion in a complex, changing world: New research and application," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 50(3), pages 659-664, August.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General

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