Employee appreciation: a systematic review and research recommendations

Abstract Appreciating employees is a communicative behavior, however, research focused on communication is limited. This systematic review synthesized 41 records on employee appreciation to derive research recommendations. Research recommendations are related to (a) examining cultural differences, (b) examining differences in work environments and interindividual differences, (c) examining the match of wanted and received appreciation, (d) using more varied methods, (e) validating available and developing new instruments, (f) conducting meta-analyses and including under-researched concepts, (g) focusing on employee appreciation, (h) examining pitfalls and suitable strategies for conveying appreciation, and (i) examining the circular process of appreciation. This systematic review provides (communication) scholars with new research ideas which place employee appreciation at the center—and which are also of great interest for organizations.