A systematic literature review: exploring the impact of inclusive leadership in hybrid teams

Hybrid work environments are reshaping how inclusion, leadership and team dynamics function, but existing research remains fragmented, lacking a unified understanding of how inclusive leadership operates in these environments. This systematic review fills this gap by comprehensively analyzing current evidence on behavioral patterns, underlying mechanisms and outcomes of inclusive leadership in hybrid teams. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we systematically searched the Scopus and Web of Science databases, identifying 27 studies that met the inclusion criteria. We used a structured thematic analysis approach to analyze these studies to identify leadership behaviors, mediating mechanisms and situational moderating factors. The findings suggest that inclusive leadership is associated with higher psychological safety, perceived justice and sense of belonging in hybrid work contexts. These effects are mediated by transparent communication, equitable resource allocation and positive acceptance of remote members. This review constructs a framework that integrates relational, identity and digital structural perspectives to elucidate the mechanisms by which inclusive leadership operates in hybrid environments. The findings clarify conceptual boundaries, reveal inconsistencies in existing evidence and provide practical guidance for promoting inclusion in increasingly flexible, technology-driven workplaces.