Search Results (4)

This review article explores the scientific literature on managing neurodiversity in workplaces, aiming to identify emerging research directions, gaps, and methods used. A systematic literature review in the hybrid form was implemented, combining bibliometric analysis and structured review. A review of selected social sciences publications from the SCOPUS database was conducted. The literature review reveals a lack of research linking neurodiversity with human capital management. Key findings indicate that neurodivergent individuals contribute unique talents contingent on appropriate management strategies. The research identified in the reviewed literature in the scope of managing neurodiversity in workplaces primarily focuses on four areas: the well-being of individuals with autism, inclusion strategies, employment challenges, and recruitment transformations. The review identified 22 articles addressing the following areas: mental health and quality of life, inclusive workplace designs, psychological perspectives, and human resource practice adaptations. Additional studies cover family relationships, emotional intelligence, and the need for new research approaches, predominantly using qualitative methods. The study concludes that more theories, methods, and contexts are needed to support neurodivergent employees. Future research should develop integrated solutions to enhance employment rates and reduce turnover, using theories like Self-Determination Theory and Universally Designed Synergistic Supervision. Integrating neurodiversity into sustainable human resource management practices can enhance innovation, employee satisfaction, and organizational reputation. Continuous policy improvement is crucial for long-term success and inclusivity. Full article

Emotional intelligence is important within the workplace, as indicated by the multitude of positive workplace outcomes associated with heightened emotional intelligence. Research has demonstrated that many autistic individuals exhibit lower levels of trait emotional intelligence, potentially putting them at a disadvantage within the workplace. Emotional intelligence, however, is multifaceted, yet research on how autistic adults fare in these facets separately has remained siloed. All four facets are important and should be considered alongside one another to allow for a complete understanding of emotional intelligence and autism. The purpose of this paper is to review existing research with respect to how autistic individuals fare for each of the four facets of emotional intelligence, namely, perceiving emotions, using emotions to facilitate thought, understanding emotions, and managing emotions. This review is primarily intended to be descriptive and not prescriptive, though areas for consideration within the workplace—particularly regarding how autistic individuals may experience difficulties in meeting the necessary demands for sustainable career success—based on the reported findings are provided. Given this and the recognition that neurodiversity is an important component of organizational diversity, this paper is important for both individual employment sustainability efforts and organizational sustainable competitive advantage efforts. Full article

Insights into the relationship between people with impeded cognitive functioning and the built environment have arisen over the last few decades. This research builds on underlying research that looked at how the home environment could help people feel supported so they could better cope with everyday living and thus achieve an enhanced QoL. Such support goes beyond functional design related to activities of daily living and encompasses opportunities for comprehension, management, finding meaningfulness in, and providing emotional affordance in the home. This article reports on conversational interviews with people with schizophrenia discussing their experiences of home environments. Their responses provide a basis on which to generate a more nuanced understanding of the impact of accommodation on people with schizophrenia, challenge considerations previously identified and highlight the need for further research. Considerations include the importance of the home’s proximity to places for potential relaxation, the need for security of housing tenure rather than short-term crisis housing, awareness of the support required for occupants to maintain outdoor areas and enabling occupants to pursue personal interests in the home. The findings will inform the development of accommodation design considerations that focus on improving quality of life for people with schizophrenia. In this way, the findings will contribute to enabling this neurodiverse group to remain independent, empowered and functioning members of the community—leading to greater social sustainability. Full article

Difficulties with interpersonal communication experienced by individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) significantly contribute to their underrepresentation in the workforce as well as problems experienced while in employment. Consistently, it is vital to understand how communication within the employment cycle of this group can be improved. This study aims to identify and analyze the possibilities of modifying the communication processes around recruitment, selection, onboarding, and job retention to address the specific characteristics and needs of the representatives of this group. This qualitative study is based on 15 in-depth interviews conducted with 21 field experts, i.e.,: therapists, job trainers, and entrepreneurs employing people with ASD. The findings of this research informed the creation of an inclusive communication model supporting the employment cycle of individuals with ASD. The most important recommendations within the model that was created include the modification of job advertisements, use of less structured job interviews, providing opportunities for mentorship, and supportive and non-direct, electronically mediated communication. To apply the above-mentioned solutions and take full advantage of the talents of people with ASD, it is also necessary to provide tailored sensitivity and awareness training programs for their direct addressees as well as their neurotypical colleagues, including managerial staff. Full article