Inclusive Organisational Behaviour
Bridging Workplace Diversity and Inclusion through a Paradigm-Based Lens
Keywords:
Inclusion practices, inclusive organisational behaviour, inclusive workplaces, organisational behaviour, workplace diversityAbstract
Purpose: This study examines how Inclusive Organisational Behaviour (IOB) bridges workplace diversity and inclusion practices, with particular emphasis on the role of research paradigms in shaping the meaning, interpretation, and ethical understanding of organisational research.
Design/methodology/approach: An interpretative literature review was conducted using 35 scholarly works from Google Scholar on inclusive workplaces, diversity management, and inclusion practices. The study applies a paradigm-based lens to analyse how inclusion is conceptualised and studied.
Findings: The review shows that diversity and inclusion are often treated separately, with diversity focusing on representation and inclusion on employee experiences. Inclusion emerges as a multi-level, context-dependent construct shaped by leadership, organisational culture, and psychological safety. Interpretative approaches provide deeper insight into lived experiences and ethical dimensions, while positivist approaches emphasise measurable outcomes but often overlook contextual complexity.
Implications: Organisations should integrate diversity and inclusion into cohesive organisational strategies while adopting context-sensitive research approaches to better understand and capture inclusive practices.
Originality/value: This study links research paradigms with IOB, offering an integrative framework for understanding and advancing inclusion in organisations.
JEL Classification: D91, J24, M12, M14
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