Mapping mindfulness: a systematic review and a framework for developing organizational mindfulness capability
Vaishali Jadon, Pearl Malhotra
International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior August 19, 2026 DOI: 10.1108/ijotb-02-2026-0054 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Peer-reviewed articles on workplace mindfulness |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The review finds limited attention to multi-level outcomes and a gap in exploring mindfulness as a moderator, and proposes a resource-based view framework positioning mindfulness as a strategic asset that enhances employee well-being and organizational effectiveness. |
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to synthesize workplace mindfulness literature, identify research gaps, and propose a future agenda. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review of 53 peer-reviewed articles was conducted to examine the antecedents, mechanisms and outcomes of mindfulness at individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels.
Findings: The review reveals limited attention to multi-level outcomes and identifies a gap in exploring mindfulness as a moderator. It identifies a lack of structured approaches to building mindfulness as an organizational capability. A conceptual framework grounded in the resource-based view (RBV) is proposed, positioning mindfulness as a strategic asset that enhances employee well-being and organizational effectiveness. Research limitations/implications The review is limited to 53 articles. Nonetheless, it offers insights for advancing multilevel and theory-driven research on mindfulness. Practical implications The findings guide HRM and management practitioners in designing targeted mindfulness interventions to foster well-being, productivity and resilience. Originality/value This study provides a multi-level view of mindfulness, highlights its strategic potential and offers a research agenda to guide future inquiry.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cites 11
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Contemplating Mindfulness at Work Journal of Management November 19, 2015
- The impact of mindfulness on well-being and performance in the workplace: an inclusive systematic review of the empirical literature European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology April 19, 2017
- Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy: An efficacy study for mental health care staff Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing May 21, 2018
and 6 more in the library