Fostering the Neurodiversity of Employees: From the Systematic Literature Review to Managerial Proposals

Abstract

Neurodivergent individuals are present in a significant portion of the global population. Despite its prevalence, educational and organisational environments often fail to accommodate neurodivergent individuals, particularly in the workforce. However, pioneering companies have started integrating neurodiversity into their workforces, recognising the unique skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, especially in digitisation and information technology. These initiatives promote social and human development while enhancing companies' competitive capabilities. This review outlines the benefits of neurodiversity inclusion for companies, leaders, and work teams, offering insights into the characteristics and activities associated with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia. It emphasises the necessity for increased research on neurodiversity in the business domain and presents a framework to guide the implementation of inclusive programmes. Through a systematic literature review, this study addresses the lack of research in this area, providing a comprehensive overview and contributing to future investigations. The findings highlight the advantages of embracing neurodiversity, encouraging more companies to adopt inclusive practices and contributing to a more equitable and productive workforce.