Unraveling the phenomenon of losing humanness at workplace: A review and synthesis of dehumanization research in work context

Dehumanization in workplace contexts has recently gained attention due to contemporary factors such as the rapid increase in information, communication, and technology, as well as the emergence of artificial intelligence and robotics. However, the literature on dehumanization, characterized by perceiving others as less human or experiencing subhuman treatment, faces significant challenges in its development due to factors such as its fragmented development, lack of integration across diverse forms of dehumanization, and lack of differentiation based on the parties involved. This comprehensive systematic literature review bridges these gaps, thereby revealing the nuances and intricacies of this vast, fragmented body of work. This systematic literature review presents an integrative conceptual map, using categorization principles to simplify the complexity of the dehumanization phenomenon and provide a comprehensive, abstract conceptual lens that encapsulates all its forms. Furthermore, the integrative process framework presented in the review unravels the dehumanization mechanism by distinguishing it from the perspectives of the parties involved. The nomological network presented using cognitive appraisal theory clarifies the causes and impact of various forms of dehumanization from both the source and the target perspectives. Finally, we identify critical research gaps and propose future directions, positioning the review as a catalyst for advancing literature on workplace dehumanization.