A systematic review of experimental evidence on interventions against bias and discrimination in organizations

Abstract

Bias and discrimination in organizations remain persistent challenges despite significant efforts and investments to address them. We systematically reviewed all experimental papers (N = 116, k = 159) between 2000 and 2022 on interventions addressing bias and discrimination in organizations due to age, disability, ethnicity, and sexuality. We find that interventions involving structuring communication documents, procedures, or interactions are effective for addressing bias and discrimination against disabled, ethnic, and sexual minorities. Interventions that build similarities between minorities and majorities are effective for age and disabled minorities. Interventions that provide additional information about minorities or raise awareness about biases are effective for age minorities. Exposure interventions that create experiences interacting with minorities and their realities are effective for age, ethnic, and sexual minorities. Based on our findings, we develop a conceptual framework and present a future research agenda that revolves around the effectiveness of interventions.