Defining inclusionary intelligence: a conceptual framework with a constructivist perspective

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine inclusion as subjectively created knowledge individuals generate through their interactions within a social environment. The main purpose is to introduce an inclusion-related conceptualisation of intelligence by means of which an individual evaluates, understands and engages in action in a work-setting in order to achieve efficient outcomes while feeling belonged and unique in a work-setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Aiming at explaining a phenomenon and building a conceptual framework from the subjective perspective of a particular individual at work, such as a team member, the philosophical assumption embedded in this paper is social constructivism.

Findings

A substantive conclusion drawn in this paper is the importance of an individual’s personal resources, such as optimism, resilience, self-efficacy and positive psychology, to evaluate situational conditions, and take necessary actions, which in turn determines how included that individual feels in a work-setting. Moreover, dyadic interactions are also substantial, and one-to-one communication in every dyad is essential for the “co-construction” of an individual’s inclusion.

Research limitations/implications

A scale development effort to explore and validate a construct for inclusionary intelligence and its domains can be suggested for future research.

Practical implications

While management literature, in general, lays much emphasis on managing diversity in team and organisations, this paper puts stress on the perspective of the individual at work.

Originality/value

The paper elaborates on the nature of inclusion with a social constructivist paradigm and approaches inclusion as a feeling, an experience, a subjective interpretation of one’s own position in a work-setting and an important predictor of one’s job satisfaction and well-being at work.

Citation

Berber, A. (2021), "Defining inclusionary intelligence: a conceptual framework with a constructivist perspective", Management Decision, Vol. 59 No. 11, pp. 2606-2619. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-01-2019-0144