The DOI matches its Crossref record; 5 of the 5 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Workplace inclusion: A scoping review of the qualitative literature
Abstract
Background An inclusive workplace culture supports and values the individual and collective work processes of workers from diverse backgrounds. The reality or perception of inclusion or exclusion at work can influence the social functioning, health, and well-being of workers. However, we lack knowledge about the concepts relevant to inclusion at the workplace. Furthermore, research is needed to better understand the drivers and obstacles to workplace inclusion to better promote participation in working life. Objective This scoping review of the qualitative literature identifies the barriers to and facilitators of workplace inclusion. Methods Systematic searches of five databases were conducted from 2000 to January 2020. Pairs of reviewers independently screened and reviewed all citations and full-text articles. We used Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework which advances through five stages. Barriers and facilitators of workplace inclusion were categorized relative to a multi-layered conceptualization of workplace inclusion and grouped by theme. Studies were described and thematic results totaled and communicated with evidence tables and conceptual maps. Results Thirty-nine qualitative studies met our inclusion criteria. All five domains of the multi-layered framework were represented by the reported shared experiences of study participants. Organizational level factors, especially attitudinal barriers were the most reported barriers to workplace inclusion. Facilitat…
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A later scoping review of qualitative research showed that workplace inclusion spans interpersonal, organizational, and work-process dimensions.
“A later scoping review of qualitative research similarly showed that workplace inclusion spans interpersonal, organizational, and work-process dimensions (Rezai et al., 2023).”
From Inclusive Workplaces and Performance: An Integrative Review of Diversity and Employee Outcomes (2026) · cites this paper as Rezai et al., 2023
Rezai et al. (2023) found that workers describe inclusion through social acceptance, participation, organizational support, access, and the ability to contribute meaningfully.
“Rezai et al. (2023) found that workers describe inclusion through social acceptance, participation, organizational support, access, and the ability to contribute meaningfully.”
From Inclusive Workplaces and Performance: An Integrative Review of Diversity and Employee Outcomes (2026) · cites this paper as Rezai et al. (2023)
The scoping review by Rezai et al. (2023) notes that experiences of inclusion and exclusion can affect social functioning, health, and well-being.
“The scoping review by Rezai et al. (2023) likewise notes that experiences of inclusion and exclusion can affect social functioning, health, and well-being.”
From Inclusive Workplaces and Performance: An Integrative Review of Diversity and Employee Outcomes (2026) · cites this paper as Rezai et al. (2023)
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Using thematic analysis in psychology
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006) · Qualitative Research in Psychology · doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa · Cited by 194,414
PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation
Tricco, A. C., Lillie, E., Zarin, W., O'Brien, K. K., Colquhoun, H., Levac, D., Moher, D., Peters, M. D. J., Horsley, T., Weeks, L., et al. (2018) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/m18-0850 · Cited by 43,565
Lockwood, C., Munn, Z., & Porritt, K. (2015) · International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare · doi:10.1097/xeb.0000000000000062 · Cited by 2,456
Nembhard, I. M., & Edmondson, A. C. (2006) · Journal of Organizational Behavior · doi:10.1002/job.413 · Cited by 2,385
A scoping review on the conduct and reporting of scoping reviews
Tricco, A. C., Lillie, E., Zarin, W., O’Brien, K., Colquhoun, H., Kastner, M., Levac, D., Ng, C., Sharpe, J. P., Wilson, K., et al. (2016) · BMC Medical Research Methodology · doi:10.1186/s12874-016-0116-4 · Cited by 2,250
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Cited by
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Inclusive Workplaces and Performance: An Integrative Review of Diversity and Employee Outcomes
Abudawood, B. B. (2026) · Journal of Business and Management Studies · doi:10.32996/jbms.2026.8.10.3
“The scoping review by Rezai et al. (2023) likewise notes that experiences of inclusion and exclusion can affect social functioning, health, and well-being.”
Influential
Metadata
- Authors
- Rezai, M., Lindsay, S., Ahmed, H., & Vijayakumar, A.
- Affiliations
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (CA)
- University of Toronto (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Rezai, Mana
- Venue
- Work
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2023-05-16
- Volume
- 75
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 59-73
- ISSN
- 1051-9815 (ISSN-L)
- 1875-9270
- OpenAlex
- W4313424417
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 0.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Work (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Workplace Health and Well-being
- Social Sciences › Education › Disability Education and Employment
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Diversity and Inequality
- Keywords
- workplace inclusion, barriers to inclusion, facilitators of inclusion, inclusive workplace culture, attitudinal barriers, inclusive leadership, employer support, employee participation, employee well-being, organizational factors, workplace diversity
- MeSH terms
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Humans, Workplace
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