In today’s changing world of work, Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM)) still focuses on making workers more productive. This study systematically examines the mediating function of incentives both monetary and non-monetary between antecedent characteristics (e.g., leadership, organizational culture) and employee productivity using a systematic literature review (SLR) of papers published from 2010 to 2024. The review adheres to PRISMA principles and integrates 18 peer-reviewed studies chosen through a stringent screening and quality evaluation process from Scopus and Google Scholar. The results show that the success of incentives depends a lot on things like the ideals of the business, the style of leadership, and the demographics of the workforce. Thematic analysis, informed by the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) theory and Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) frameworks, delineates four principal processes by which incentives affect productivity: goal alignment, perceived equity, motivational pathways, and cultural congruence. The research emphasizes the necessity of customizing incentive systems to specific organizational contexts and offers practical guidance for HR professionals. Recognizing limitations and publishing bias, suggestions for future incentive system design are presented.