Enhancing Employee Empowerment in Railway Manufacturing: The Impact of Industry 4.0 Digital Technologies

The railway manufacturing industry is paradigm-shifting due to advancements in Industry 4.0 (4IR). This technological revolution, marked by the integration of digital technologies, is transforming production processes and organisational structures. Employee empowerment, which involves equipping workers with the necessary tools, resources, and decision-making authority, is crucial in this context. This research examines the link between employee empowerment and 4IR digital technologies in railway manufacturing. It focuses on how 4IR technologies impact employee empowerment. The objectives are to (1) evaluate the adoption and use of 4IR technologies in railway manufacturing and (2) assess their impact on employee empowerment. Additionally, it identifies factors that facilitate or hinder empowerment in 4IR-driven transformations. A quantitative methodology was used, and a questionnaire was surveyed of 179 railway manufacturing employees. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics, with Cronbach's alpha for reliability and Pearson correlation for variable relationships. The findings indicate that integrating 4IR technologies into railway production can enhance employee empowerment by promoting autonomy, skill development, and decision-making participation. However, challenges include implementation accuracy, infrastructure availability, and skills deficiencies related to 4IR technologies.