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Barriers and inclusive initiatives: A systematic literature review of women’s employment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workplaces

Xinxiong Wu et al.

The Economic and Labour Relations Review2026https://doi.org/10.1017/elr.2026.10064article
AJG 1ABDC B
Weight
0.50

What the paper says

Abstract Understanding the barriers to women’s employment and implementing inclusive initiatives in STEM workplaces is a critical global challenge. This systematic literature review applied a PRISMA-guided protocol to screen and critically appraise 44 empirical publications across four multidisciplinary databases. This review produced a structured analysis of the nature of barriers, their outcomes, and inclusive organisational initiatives for women in STEM workplaces. The study identifies intersecting barriers – bias-related, stereotype threat, culture, and structural – that hinder women’s representation and career progression. Inclusive initiatives, such as mentorship, stereotype reduction, equitable policies, and transparent promotion pathways, are explored as solutions; however, there are gaps in measuring their long-term efficacy and incorporating cross-cultural and intersectional perspectives. The findings underscore the need for robust theoretical frameworks and empirical research to promote equity and inclusion, thereby unlocking the full potential of women in STEM.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/elr.2026.10064

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@article{xinxiong2026,
  title        = {{Barriers and inclusive initiatives: A systematic literature review of women’s employment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workplaces}},
  author       = {Xinxiong Wu et al.},
  journal      = {The Economic and Labour Relations Review},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/elr.2026.10064},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.