Engaging the Modern Workforce: Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Individual Factors

Syed Imran Zaman (), Sobia Jamil (), Syed Ahsan Ali Zaman () and Yushi Jiang ()
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Syed Imran Zaman: Jinnah University for Women
Sobia Jamil: Jinnah University for Women
Syed Ahsan Ali Zaman: Kaunas University of Technology
Yushi Jiang: Southwest Jiaotong University

Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, No 15, 412-452

Abstract: Abstract Numerous companies embrace the incorporation of individual components and digital technology in the current era of Industry 4.0 by actively involving their employees and modernizing their operational procedures. This significantly influences both the individual elements and digital technology inside the company. This study aims to explore the dynamic relationship between digital technology and individual characteristics in the context of employee engagement. Research indicates that digital tools can enhance employee engagement by monitoring various aspects of individual factors and digital technology in real-time. This study is supported by social exchange theory, which states that interactions between mutually dependent parties establish employee engagement. In order to understand the interaction between elements within the pharmaceutical sector, this study explores the causal relationships between factors of digital technology and individual characteristics on employee engagement using the Grey-DEMATEL approach. The study used master journalist, web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify study variable-related factors; these variables were further narrowed down into 16 factors after academic and industry experts’ suggestions. The results show that equal opportunity and fair treatment were chosen as the top criterion and the most critical cause for employee engagement. As an effect factor, performance appraisal was identified as the second-most important criterion. The third important effect factor is empowerment. Additionally, integration of the Internet of things (IoT) significantly affects transforming performance appraisal and communication processes. The empirical results presented in this study indicate that the implementation of equal opportunity and fair treatment positively impacts management and efficiency performance within the pharmaceutical business. HR professionals are increasingly leveraging digital tools and predictive analytics to develop performance appraisal systems. The presence of work satisfaction facilitates the maintenance of employee engagement, and workers are more invested in their work when their managers treat them fairly and give them a chance to grow professionally. Digital technology is crucial in facilitating pharmaceutical personnel’s personal and professional growth.

Keywords: Individual factor (IF); Digital technology (DT); Employee engagement (EE); Grey DEMATEL; Social exchange theory (SET); Pharmaceutical industry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-01778-3

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