Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statements in Recruitment Materials: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda

Abstract

Employers increasingly commit to embracing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their workplaces. A key strategy for communicating this commitment is the use of DEI statements in recruitment materials, including job advertisements. However, this practice is ad hoc and is mostly viewed as a matter of compliance or impression management. This paper presents a systematic literature review of 39 studies published between 1994 and 2023 to understand the wider outcomes of using DEI statements as a recruitment marketing strategy. In doing so, it considers both employer and job applicant perspectives to outline goals communicated through DEI statements and environmental influences that drive the adoption of DEI communication. The paper also presents an agenda for future research highlighting critical observations and gaps that contribute to the progress of DEI discussions within recruitment marketing.