Title: Lookism in the Chinese workplace: an integrated literature review

Authors: Yuanlu Niu; Jinfang Liu; Malar Hirudayaraj

Addresses: Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders, University of Arkansas, 101 Graduate Education Building, Fayetteville, AR-72701, USA ' Human Resource Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN – 55455, USA ' Saunders College of Business, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY- 14623, USA

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to provide a review of previous literature on lookism, contribute toward greater understanding of the issue of lookism in the Chinese workplace, and facilitate and encourage future research on the issue of workplace lookism. Lookism refers to discrimination based on physical appearance or attractiveness bias. An integrative literature review was conducted among the articles that addressed the issues specifically surrounding lookism in Chinese workplaces. We identified the main topics including the causes and types of lookism and draw attention to the source points and key actors considered and the effects of lookism. This article discussed the role of social and cultural aspects that contribute towards the perpetration of lookism and emphasised the need for change in social awareness, human resource policies and practices, and legislation that would help eliminate the phenomenon.

Keywords: Chinese workplace; lookism; appearance-based discrimination; discrimination theory; human resource management; HRM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCCM.2021.113768

International Journal of Chinese Culture and Management, 2021 Vol.5 No.1, pp.82 - 100

Received: 16 May 2020
Accepted: 17 Aug 2020
Published online: 22 Mar 2021 *

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