Workplace Gratitude: Literature Review and Future Directions

Abstract

With the increasing significance of gratitude studies at the workplace, the present study aims to lay a roadmap for researchers and practitioners interested in workplace gratitude. It provides an updated overview of gratitude at the workplace (2001–2021) and identifies the critical issues in the available literature. By reviewing the antecedents and consequences of workplace gratitude, the study attempts to answer three questions: to critically evaluate the issues in gratitude measurement, to whom the employees feel grateful in the workplace (target of gratitude), how the employees reciprocate the feeling of gratitude, and which theory best explains the workplace gratitude. The study concludes by offering primary direction for future research in workplace gratitude and recommendation for gratitude measurements.