Vicarious Bullying and Career Progression of African American Women Academics: An Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

The purpose of this literature review was to explore research on the role of vicarious bullying in African American women's academic career progression. This study is framed by the three key concepts of academic bullying, vicarious bullying in higher education and unethical leadership, and the interface of Black women's intersectionality, academic bullying, and career progression. Scholars have confirmed that women of color are more likely to endure vicarious bullying leading to career disruption, yet their voices remain absent from the extant literature. Leadership that chooses to ignore the malicious behavior enables workplace bullying and unhealthy behavior to grow until it can destroy the organization's potential and incur substantial costs. Gaps identified in the literature and recommendations for practice and scholarly research may contribute to positive social change by informing human resource professionals in higher education settings on African American women academics' vulnerability to become workplace bullying targets.

Keywords: Workplace bullying, vicarious bullying, intersectionality, African American women academics, career progression, organizational power, aggression, higher education, social equality

JEL Classification: I, M, Y