Engineering Inclusion in Indian Workplaces: A Mumbai-Based Study on Sign Language and Assistive Tech Integration
Keywords:
Inclusive Communication, Assistive Technology, Sign Language, differently abled Employees, Workplace InclusionAbstract
In the changing dynamics of workplace diversity, there is a growing movement from just representation to creating real inclusion, particularly for people with disabilities. The study examines the extent of awareness and use of sign language and assistive technologies in Mumbai-based organizations and how they affect employee productivity and job satisfaction. The study employs a mixed-method design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data to provide an in-depth understanding of inclusive communication practices. A stratified purposive sampling design was employed to reflect a range of diverse perspectives by organizational types and disability categories. Statistical methods including Pearson correlation and regression were applied to analyze data through SPSS 26. Results confirm a strong positive correlation between the organizational type and the utilization of inclusive tools, which implies that structural and cultural influences within the organization affect the level of accessibility. Moreover, inclusive communication practices were found to significantly and statistically impact employee productivity as well as job satisfaction. These findings emphasize the strategic value of transcending performative diversity initiatives in embracing practical, inclusive interventions that facilitate participation by everyone. The research points to the indispensable role of leadership and organizational engagement in fostering inclusion and provides insights into how these practices can translate into better workplace outcomes. Although the study has some rich contributions, its geographic limitation and use of self-reported data necessitate subsequent studies in more diverse and large contexts.
Downloads
References
Aboobaker, N., Edward, M., & KA, Z. (2020). Workplace spirituality and employee loyalty: an empirical investigation among millennials in India. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 14(2), 211-225.
Barak, M. E. M. (2022). Managing diversity: Toward a globally inclusive workplace. Sage publications.
Choi, J. O., Shane, J. S., & Chih, Y. Y. (2022). Diversity and inclusion in the engineering-construction industry.
Goodburn, C., & Mishra, S. (2024). Beyond the dormitory labour regime: comparing Chinese and Indian workplace–residence systems as strategies of migrant labour control. Work, Employment and Society, 38(2), 505-526.
Gupta, N. (2023). Women in STEM in India: Understanding challenges through social constructionist perspective. American Behavioral Scientist, 67(9), 1084-1103.
Heydari, M. H., Shojaei, A., Naderi, H., & Iorio, J. (2024). Paving the way for progress: A systematic literature review on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the AEC industry. Journal of Management in Engineering, 40(3), 03124001.
Jaiswal, A., & Dyaram, L. (2020). Perceived diversity and employee well-being: mediating role of inclusion. Personnel Review, 49(5), 1121-1139.
Kaushiva, P., & Joshi, C. (2020). Women’s re-entry after a career break: Efficacy of support programs. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 39(8), 849-864.
Kiradoo, G. (2022). Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace: Strategies for achieving and sustaining a diverse workforce. Advance Research in Social Science and Management, Edition, 1, 139-151.
Kuknor, S., & Bhattacharya, S. (2021). Exploring organizational inclusion and inclusive leadership in Indian companies. European Business Review, 33(3), 450-464.
Kumari, N., & Lenka, U. (2023). Scientometric review of disability inclusion in the workplace. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, IEOM Society.
Leong, W. Y. (2023, November). Advancing Diversity and Inclusion for Women in Engineering. In Proceedings of the 3rd Indian International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, New Delhi, India.
Maji, S., & Dixit, S. (2020). Exploring self-silencing in workplace relationships: A qualitative study of female software engineers. The Qualitative Report, 25(6), 1505-1525.
Maji, S., Singh, T., Hooda, M., & Sarika, K. (2023). " As If I Use a Filter, and It Has Become a Part of Me": Discriminatory Workplace Experiences of Lesbian and Gay Employees of India. Qualitative Report, 28(6).
Malhotra, R. T. (2024). Inclusion on purpose: An intersectional approach to creating a culture of belonging at work. MIT Press.
Panicker, A., & Sharma, A. (2020). Demonstrating the impact of participative decision making, distributive justice perception and growth opportunities on favorable and unfavorable employee outcomes: Mediating effect of workplace inclusion in Indian HEIs. International Journal of Business Science & Applied Management (IJBSAM), 15(1), 30-46.
Rathore, B., Mathur, M., & Solanki, S. (2022). An exploratory study on role of artificial intelligence in overcoming biases to promote diversity and inclusion practices. Impact of artificial intelligence on organizational transformation, 147-164.
Rezai, M., Lindsay, S., Ahmed, H., & Vijayakumar, A. (2023). Workplace inclusion: A scoping review of the qualitative literature. Work, 75(1), 59-73.
Rincon, R. (2022). Promoting the Need for Greater Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering. The Electrochemical Society Interface, 31(1), 49.
Shakthi, S. (2023). Corporate Brahminism and tech work: Caste in a modern Indian profession. South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, 46(5), 920-933.
Sharma, A., & Panicker, A. (2022). Workplace Inclusion as a mediator of the relationship between workforce diversity and intention to quit: Results from Indian HEIs. Vision, 09722629221115900.
Shenoy, V., & Kumar, M. (2021). Common biases found in the workplace: visible and invisible inequalities. Strategic HR Review, 20(5), 183-185.
Shivhare, A. (2025). Beyond diversity: an analysis of gender inclusion within Indian manufacturing organizations. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 33(4), 763-779.
Suresh, V., & Dyaram, L. (2020). Workplace disability inclusion in India: review and directions. Management Research Review, 43(12).
Varma, A., Patel, P., Prikshat, V., Hota, D., & Pereira, V. (2021). India’s new education policy: a case of indigenous ingenuity contributing to the global knowledge economy? Journal of Knowledge Management, 25(10), 2385-2395.
Verma, A., Venkatesan, M., Kumar, M., & Verma, J. (2023). The future of work post Covid-19: key perceived HR implications of hybrid workplaces in India. Journal of Management Development, 42(1), 13-28.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Scientific Research in Humanities and Social Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
