GEDSI and Sustainable Business Performance: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This study systematically reviews the relationship between Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and sustainable business performance. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach was employed to synthesize 29 scholarly papers identified through Google Scholar, with the review process guided by systematic screening, eligibility assessment, quality evaluation, data extraction, and thematic synthesis. The findings reveal a substantial imbalance in the literature: 60% of the reviewed studies primarily focused on gender equality or gender diversity, 10% directly examined disability inclusion, and 30% addressed broader social inclusion, workplace inclusion, or integrated diversity and inclusion practices. Overall, the evidence indicates that GEDSI does not automatically improve business performance through demographic representation alone. Instead, its contribution depends on whether equality and diversity are translated into meaningful organizational inclusion. Six major mechanisms were identified: human-capital utilization, governance and decision-making, employee engagement and participation, innovation and knowledge integration, corporate reputation and stakeholder legitimacy, and sustainability practices and disclosure. Gender equality was particularly associated with governance, corporate social responsibility, environmental performance, and sustainability disclosure, while disability inclusion showed potential benefits for firm performance and corporate reputation. Workplace inclusion emerged as a critical mechanism for transforming diverse human resources into innovation and sustainable organizational value. The review concludes that GEDSI should be understood as a strategic sustainability capability whose impact is multidimensional, indirect, and context-dependent. Future research should prioritize integrated GEDSI measurement, disability inclusion, emerging economies, SMEs, longitudinal analysis, and the mediating mechanisms connecting inclusion with sustainable business outcomes.