A comparative systematic review of empirical research into workplace friendship: Hospitality versus non-hospitality contexts

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. • A comparative systematic review of workplace friendship was conducted in both hospitality and non-hospitality contexts. • The review revealed a strong regional bias and a scarcity of qualitative studies on in the existing literature. • Previous research has predominantly focused on the positive effects of workplace friendship. • By synthesizing insights across both hospitality and non-hospitality contexts, four strategic recommendations were made.