Training and development practices impact on productivity of factory floor workers in the Sri Lankan apparel industry





Introduction

The global apparel industry is a labour intensive industry. Employee productivity in the global apparel industry is of the critical importance due to the intense price based rivalry within the industry and continuous pressure from buyers to improve quality and reduce pricing. High pressure from buyers to reduce cost coupled with intense price based competition in the industry has resulted in significant investment in training and development by apparel manufacturers to reduce costs and wastage and increase productivity levels. This study analyses the impact of training and development on employee productivity in the Sri Lankan apparel industry.



Impact of training and development on employee productivity in the Sri Lankan apparel industry

Ensuring competitiveness of the Sri Lankan apparel industry is of critical importance due to its significant contribution to socioeconomic development in the country. The apparel industry’s contribution to socioeconomic development is evidenced by its U.S.$ 5 Billion annual contribution to the foreign exchange revenues of the country and its employment of 600,000 direct and indirect workers (Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2020). Findings from previous studies indicate that the Sri Lankan apparel industry invest heavily in the continuous training and development of factory workers (Embuldeniya, 2016; Welmilla, 2020). Training and development of factory workers is mainly based on technical training such as machine operator training and embroidery machine operator training. Findings from empirical studies indicate a positive correlation between training and development and employee productivity in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Research conducted by Embuldeniya (2016) found that apparel worker productivity increased by 9.1 units for every one unit increase in investment in training and development. Further, this study identified a robust positive correlation between training design and factory workers productivity in the apparel industry i.e., Pearson Correlation value of 0.659 (Embuldeniya, 2016).


Conclusion

Review of empirical research shows that training and development has a positive impact on employee productivity in the Sri Lankan Apparel Industry. Given this robust positive impact of training and development on employee productivity, Sri Lankan manufacturers should increase investment in training and development. Increased investment in training and development will enhance productivity levels and will enable the industry to compete more effectively in the global apparel industry. This in turn will increase the industry’s turnover and profitability and further enhance its contribution to socioeconomic development in the country.

 

 

 

References

Central Bank of Sri Lanka. (2020) Annual Report – 2020. CMB: CBSL

Embuldeniya, A. (2016) Training and development practices and its impact on non-managerial employees’ productivity in apparel industry of Sri Lanka. 9th International Research Conference – Kothalawala Defense University. [Online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331556686_TRAINING_AND_DEVELOPMENT_PRACTICES_AND_ITS_IMPACT_ON_NON-MANAGERIAL_EMPLOYEES%27_PRODUCT IVITY _IN_ APPAREL_INDUSTRY_OF_SRI_LANKA [Accessed: 4 April 2021].

Welmilla, I. (2020) Human resource challenges in apparel industry in Sri Lanka. Global Journal of Management and Business Resources: Administration and Management, 20(2), pp. 45-54.

 

 

 

 

Comments

  1. Ruwan HerathApril 22, 2021 at 10:03 PM

    Main job category in apparel industry is "Sewing Machine Operator" & this is a skilled job. In current decade no one willing to learn how to operate sewing machine since most of the job seekers are doing some diplomas on computing, management, marketing etc.
    However, Since apparel industries are required to operate without obstructing for its business they need to hire non skill employees & trained them. To achieve this goal, organization is required to having proper training & development system.

    ReplyDelete

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