Disability-inclusive HRM in practice: a qualitative meta-synthesis of barriers and enablers

Purpose This article presents a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies on disability-inclusive human resource management (HRM), examining how practices are implemented, which barriers persist, and which enablers foster inclusion in contemporary organizations. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted drawing on 43 peer-reviewed studies published up to mid-2025. Through open coding, thematic clustering and interpretive integration, the study develops a dual-axis framework that captures both formal/informal and enabling/constraining mechanisms of inclusion. Findings The analysis reveals a persistent gap between symbolic policy commitments and everyday organizational realities. Formal practices – such as inclusive recruitment and legal accommodations – provide necessary scaffolding, yet their effectiveness depends strongly on informal dynamics, including managerial attitudes, peer support and cultural norms. The study illustrates how inclusion is co-constructed through lived experiences, situated negotiations and relational sensitivity and how these processes are further shaped by managerial discretion and intersectional identities. To capture these dynamics, a four-quadrant framework is proposed to map enabling and constraining mechanisms across formal and informal domains. Practical implications The framework provides HR professionals and public managers with a diagnostic tool to assess and redesign inclusion strategies. It emphasizes the need for participatory approaches, leadership development and organizational accountability to translate policy into meaningful practice. Originality/value This is the first meta-synthesis to systematically integrate qualitative findings on disability-inclusive HRM. It offers a conceptual framework that moves beyond functionalist models and foregrounds the dynamic, contextual, and relational nature of inclusion. The study contributes to rethinking inclusion as an ongoing process of mutual recognition and practical enactment.