Reverse mentoring: a review of extant literature and recent trends

Abstract

Purpose Reverse mentoring though widely discussed and adopted in practice, scholarly research on the same is scarce. This paper thus attempts to provide an overview of the extant literature and highlights the developments taking place in the practical arena so as to reveal the research-practice gap and identify new avenues with respect to the expanding role of reverse mentoring. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the review of important developments in research and practice related to reverse mentoring. Findings Despite the multi-faceted benefits of reverse mentoring observed by practitioners, the academic literature is not only scarce but also confined to its vignettes and anecdotes. This review highlights how reverse mentoring has much more to offer than being just a tech-savvy tool. Research limitations/implications This review calls for abandoning the single-faceted outlook (of a tech-savvy tool) towards reverse mentoring by exploring the concept from a broader lens. Originality/value The insights covered in the review highlight the expanding scope of reverse mentoring and present future pathways both for researchers and practitioners. It inspires the readers to re-visit the concept and explore how it can deliver valuable outcomes especially with regards to the multi-generational workforce.