Technology-Enabled Work Practices and Workforce Retention in Postpandemic Manufacturing

This study examines changes in work practices across manufacturing plants in India, in the context of the postCOVID-19 pandemic and subsequent business transformations. The pandemic led to significant fluctuations in supply and demand, compelling organizations to rapidly adapt operations, enhance customer support, and implement cost-reduction strategies, including workforce downsizing. Grounded in the broader context of technological disruption and industrial restructuring, the study explores how manufacturing firms responded to these challenges. The research adopts an empirical, descriptive design, with data collected from 160 employees working at leading manufacturing plants in India. Statistical tools such as SPSS and SmartPLS were used to analyze the data and examine relationships among key variables. The findings reveal that the industry benefits from a strong demographic dividend, highlighting the urgent need for upskilling initiatives. Automation, digitalization, and emerging technologies are identified as transformative forces reshaping shop-floor dynamics. The results further indicate a positive relationship between job satisfaction, employee retention, and productivity. Technological advancement, coupled with accelerated upskilling, significantly contributes to improved organizational outcomes and workforce stability. The study underscores the practical and social implications of smart manufacturing, in which increased automation and intelligent systems may reduce the need for a manual workforce while enhancing efficiency and performance. The originality of this research lies in its focus on the intersection of demographic advantage, technological transformation, and workforce readiness in the Indian manufacturing sector. The findings emphasize the need for substantial organizational investment in employee upskilling to prepare workers for AIdriven and robotics-enabled production environments.