The determinants of Inclusive Work Environment; A Systematic Review
Keywords:
Inclusive work environment, workplace inclusion, inclusive leadership, organizational climate, systematic reviewAbstract
Inclusive work environments have gained increasing attention as organizations seek to move beyond workforce diversity toward practices that ensure fairness, belonging, and meaningful participation for all employees. Although research on workplace inclusion has expanded rapidly, evidence on its determinants remains dispersed across disciplines, sectors, and methodological approaches, limiting cumulative understanding. This systematic review aims to synthesize existing empirical evidence on the determinants of inclusive work environments and to identify the key outcomes associated with inclusion at employee, organizational, and social levels. A systematic review design was employed following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Peer-reviewed empirical studies and evidence-based reviews examining workplace inclusion were identified through structured database searches. Eligible studies were screened, selected, and analyzed using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted and thematically synthesized to categorize determinants and outcomes of inclusive work environments. The review identifies three interrelated categories of determinants shaping inclusive work environments: behavioral determinants, particularly leadership behaviors and interpersonal relations; organizational determinants, including inclusive climates, human resource practices, and policies; and contextual and structural determinants related to sectoral, institutional, and societal conditions. Inclusive work environments are consistently associated with positive employee-level outcomes such as engagement, job satisfaction, and well-being, as well as organizational outcomes including innovation, performance, and retention. Broader social and equity-related benefits are also evident across sectors. Inclusive work environments emerge from the interaction of behavioral, organizational, and contextual determinants rather than isolated initiatives. The findings highlight the need for integrated and sustained strategies that align leadership practices, organizational systems, and contextual conditions. This systematic review provides an evidence-based foundation to guide future research, inform organizational practice, and support policy development aimed at advancing inclusive workplaces.
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