A Narrative Review on Employee Resource Groups: Global Insights and Implications for the MENA Region

Abstract

In this narrative review, I am reviewing the existing literature on marginalized communities in the workplace and the barriers they face globally, examining how ERGs can support them, promoting diversity and inclusion in the MENA region. This review emphasizes the need for more research studies that reflect the lived experiences of marginalized people in the region. The review of the existing literature is important for understanding the impact that employee resource groups (ERGs) have had on employees and organizations in developed countries, providing a foundation for exploring the potential implementation in the MENA region to achieve similar results. The study reviews 30 articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies examined various aspects and benefits of ERGs in the workplace and the impact they had on marginalized employees. The findings of the study showcase the significant outcomes that ERGs can have on MENA region workplaces, targeting the prevalent challenges plaguing organizational harmony and support. The study offers a groundwork for ERG implementation in the MENA region to boost DEI practices and recommends that future research studies explore the possibility of regional integration of such initiatives while factoring in the socio-political and cultural dynamics that might halt yielding similar results as in developed countries.