An Empirical Study Of Recruitment And Selection Strategies And Their Impact On Workforce Quality: Evidence From Ashok Leyland
Keywords:
Recruitment strategy, selection process, workforce quality, employee retention, automotive manufacturing, organizational performance, human resource management, talent acquisitionAbstract
Effective recruitment and selection remain cornerstone functions in achieving sustainable organizational
performance and workforce quality, particularly within capital-intensive manufacturing environments. This
empirical study examines the recruitment and selection practices at Ashok Leyland, India's second-largest
commercial vehicle manufacturer, headquartered in Chennai with operations spanning 30,150+ employees
globally. Drawing on primary data from 100 respondents across operational, supervisory, and managerial
cadres, the research applies descriptive analysis, Chi-Square tests, and One-Way ANOVA to evaluate current
hiring strategies against employee retention and satisfaction metrics. Findings indicate that while Ashok Leyland
maintains structured recruitment protocols—including written assessments, technical interviews, and HR
evaluation rounds—critical gaps exist in digital integration, candidate communication, and diversity emphasis.
The study reveals significant correlations (p<0.05) between recruitment team responsiveness and employee
perception of fairness, alongside workforce quality improvements linked to competency-based screening. Data
demonstrates that 66% of workforce comprises technical operatives with ITI qualifications, yet retention
challenges persist in specialized roles. ANOVA results show age-independent consistency in perceptions
regarding job advancement opportunities, but Chi-Square analysis reveals significant variability in assessments
of recruitment transparency across departments. Recommendations centre on digitizing recruitment platforms,
enhancing pre-hire communication protocols, implementing diversity quotas in candidate sourcing, and
establishing continuous feedback mechanisms. Integrated workforce analytics and talent pipeline management
prove essential for Ashok Leyland to maintain competitive advantage amid India's evolving automotive sector
dynamics, characterized by electric vehicle proliferation and Industry 4.0 demands.
