Mapping workforce agility: an ADO–TCM-guided systematic review and research agenda

Purpose This study aims to review the evolution of workforce agility (WFA) across dynamic manufacturing and service contexts. It examines WFA’s antecedents, decision variables, outcomes, prevalent theoretical backgrounds and research methodologies in diverse sectoral settings. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review of 168 peer-reviewed articles (1995–2025*) was conducted using the Scopus database, supplemented by citation tracing. The ADO–TCM (antecedents–decisions–outcomes–theories–contexts–methodologies) framework guided the analysis to integrate conceptual, theoretical and methodological insights. Findings The review reveals that WFA is an evolving field that has gained significant attention in the past decade. Originally conceptualized within the manufacturing sector, the concept of WFA has been studied and operationalised across various service industries. Insights from the ADO–TCM framework highlight WFA’s antecedents, decision-making processes and outcomes while identifying existing studies’ prevalent theories and methodological approaches. Research limitations/implications The findings provide a roadmap for advancing WFA research, emphasizing an integrative approach, theoretical development, sectoral diversification and longitudinal methodologies. Practical implications For dynamic organizations seeking to develop WFA, this review provides a comprehensive synthesis of influencing constructs to guide design and implementation. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive and systematic review of WFA, offering a structured understanding of key components, theoretical bases and practical applications. By integrating the ADO and TCM frameworks, the review offers valuable directions for future research and fills a gap in the literature by consolidating fragmented knowledge into a coherent structure.