A review of research trends in the bullying of higher education employees, 2012–2022

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this review is to explore and identify gaps within the trends that have occurred in research relating to the bullying of higher education employees. Design/methodology/approach A systematized review procedure following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was used to search for and review literature for inclusion in the study. Studies were evaluated against predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included studies were then put through a critical appraisal process before being inductively coded using the NVivo software. Codes were then grouped into classifications, which were further grouped into themes. Findings The review identified three major themes among the included studies: (a) cause and effect, (b) demographic examinations and (c) institutional approaches to bullying. On their own, each theme stands as a pillar of the research trends explored in the decade of publication included in this review, highlighting several of the many approaches that could be taken when conducting bullying research. Within each theme, findings converge to provide insight to the actual landscape of bullying occurrences among higher education faculty. Originality/value Although there are a number of studies exploring bullying among employees in the field of higher education, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this is one of the first papers to identify the themes of that research, ultimately summing up our current understanding of the phenomena and where the gaps in our knowledge lie.