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Whither compassionate leadership? A systematic review

Author

Listed:
  • Sunder Ramachandran

    (Abu Dhabi School of Management)

  • Sreejith Balasubramanian

    (Middlesex University, Dubai Campus)

  • Wayne Fabian James

    (Abu Dhabi School of Management)

  • Turki Masaeid

    (Abu Dhabi School of Management)

Abstract

Recent disastrous events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, has amplified the appeal for compassionate leadership in organizations and is viewed as the need of the hour. While compassion is a timeless concept, there appears to be a lack of clarity around the idea of compassionate leadership, and the current understanding appears limited, fragmented, and scattered across the literature. This integrative systematic review of 41 articles during the last 20 years (2002–2021) conceptualizes six critical dimensions of compassionate leadership, namely: empathy; openness and communication; physical, mental health and well-being; inclusiveness; integrity; respect and dignity. These findings enhance our understanding of how organizational leaders can effectively incorporate the dimensions to become compassionate leaders. The review examines how compassionate leadership is defined and understood in the literature, and a contribution in the form of a definition for compassionate leadership is offered. Finally, gaps in the literature are highlighted, offering avenues for future research, along with implications for research, theory, and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Sunder Ramachandran & Sreejith Balasubramanian & Wayne Fabian James & Turki Masaeid, 2024. "Whither compassionate leadership? A systematic review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 74(3), pages 1473-1557, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:manrev:v:74:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s11301-023-00340-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11301-023-00340-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Compassionate leadership; Compassion; Leadership; Systematic review; Leadership styles;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management

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