LRK Krishnan

@vit.ac.in

Professor OB/HR, IR and Labour Laws
VIT University Business School, Chennai, India



                       

https://researchid.co/lrkkrishnan

• Senior Human Resources Professional with diverse industry experience of 34 + years in MNCs & Indian Organizations covering Engineering, Information Technology, and Telecom, including Academics and Research
• Currently, Professor {OB/HR, IR & LL} VIT Business School Chennai
• Held positions such as Sr. Vice President – Head HR, CHRO, Chief Learning Officer, etc. in the industry
• Associated in the past with organizations such as Larsen & Toubro (SWC) Reliance Group (RCOM), JT Mobiles Ltd (TELIA Sweden), Tata Unisys Ltd, DCM Shriram Ltd
• Extensive experience as a visiting faculty in B-Schools for over a decade

EDUCATION

BCom, PGDHRM, PGD T&D, LLB, MLS, MPhil, LLM, PhD

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, Strategy and Management, Industrial relations, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

6

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • TECHNOLOGY TRENDS REVOLUTIONIZING THE WORLD OF WORK-AUTO INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE BASED ON THE SDG
    S. Poorani and L. R. K. Krishnan

    South Florida Publishing LLC
    Aim/Purpose: Disruptive technologies impact business cycles and work practices, paving the way for new-generation manufacturing trends. Organizations are constantly working to introduce products with a higher degree of innovation, catering to customer demands in the market. Background: The automobile industry plays a significant role in applying disruptive technologies while proving value to all stakeholders. The technological disruptions in the auto sector can potentially change the relationship between consumers and the automobile while impacting business trends and work practices. Methodology: Various scholarly research material was reviewed to understand the impact of technology disruptions on manufacturing methods, work practices, employee engagement, and skill development. Secondary data analysis was conducted for this qualitative and descriptive study. Contribution: This paper helps to understand the impact created by various technologies in the auto sector on employee retention—the role of man- Machine collaboration in creating job satisfaction among employees. Findings: Besides automation and digitalization, AI, Robotics, and Mechatronics play a crucial role in the sector's evolution. The study findings help us understand the impact of technology on manufacturing and business practices. Recommendation for Practitioners: Investment in training the workforce and embracing collaboration helps employees to benefit from the real world of work. Recommendation for Researcher: To ensure the relevance of research studies, practitioners and researchers should maintain a collaborative approach, using research insights to inform business strategies. Impact on Society: Analyze how technologies like collaborative robots (cobots) are integrated into manufacturing processes and their impact on job roles and efficiency.  Technology continues to evolve, so societies shall proactively address challenges and leverage opportunities to take advantage of these innovations. It is the role of government policymakers, industry stakeholders, and educators to shape the auto industry's future in a way that maximizes the benefits to society from technological innovation. Future Research: The study's scope is to be done quantitatively by covering OEMs all over India. It discussed disruptive technology in general. Specific technological advancements can be analysed to dive deep into the phenomenon. A similar study could be undertaken in another industry besides the automobile.

  • TECHNOLOGY TRENDS REVOLUTIONIZING THE WORLD OF WORK- AUTO INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
    S. Poorani and L. R. K. Krishnan

    RGSA- Revista de Gestao Social e Ambiental
    Aim/Purpose: Disruptive technologies impact business cycles and work practices, paving the way for new-generation manufacturing trends. Organizations are constantly working to introduce products with a higher degree of innovation, catering to customer demands in the market.   Background: The automobile industry plays a significant role in applying disruptive technologies while proving value to all stakeholders. The technological disruptions in the auto sector can potentially change the relationship between consumers and the automobile while impacting business trends and work practices.   Methodology: Various scholarly research material was reviewed to understand the impact of technology disruptions on manufacturing methods, work practices, employee engagement, and skill development. Secondary data analysis was conducted for this qualitative and descriptive study.   Contribution: This paper helps to understand the impact created by various technologies in the auto sector on employee retention—the role of man- Machine collaboration in creating job satisfaction among employees. Findings: Besides automation and digitalization, AI, Robotics, and Mechatronics play a crucial role in the sector's evolution. The study findings help us understand the impact of technology on manufacturing and business practices.   Recommendation for Practitioners: Investment in training the workforce and embracing collaboration helps employees to benefit from the real world of work.   Recommendation for Researcher: To ensure the relevance of research studies, practitioners and researchers should maintain a collaborative approach, using research insights to inform business strategies.   Impact on Society : Analyze how technologies like collaborative robots (cobots) are integrated into manufacturing processes and their impact on job roles and efficiency.  Technology continues to evolve, so societies shall proactively address challenges and leverage opportunities to take advantage of these innovations. It is the role of government policymakers, industry stakeholders, and educators to shape the auto industry's future in a way that maximizes the benefits to society from technological innovation.   Future Research : The study's scope is to be done quantitatively by covering OEMs all over India. It discussed disruptive technology in general. Specific technological advancements can be analysed to dive deep into the phenomenon. A similar study could be undertaken in another industry besides the automobile.

  • EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND EVOLVING WORK PRACTICES IMPACTING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY
    Poorani Sundarrajan and L. R. K. Krishnan

    RGSA- Revista de Gestao Social e Ambiental
    Purpose: The manufacturing industry has been at the cutting-edge of technology advancements, which has improved quality and profoundly altered work practises. Technology disruptions are redefining work practices, resulting in innovation and creativity driving higher productivity and performance. Man-machine collaboration is profoundly strengthening manufacturing, increasing product quality and safety features. Robots, Cobots working alongside the shopfloor act as a substitute human workforce, increasing productivity and performance   Theoretical framework: Multiple theories support employee turnover studies and the job embeddedness theory suits this study the most. JE theory clearly states that employees who feel connected to the social and professional phase within the organization are less likely to leave. Likewise, motivated and up skilled employees will tend to have better QOL and QWL.   Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted over three months in the automobile industry, and the design adopted a mixed method approach; primary evidence was collected from the field as an interview method, and also various scholarly evidence collaborated with our study. The research design is descriptive and deductive in nature. The methodology used in the research paved the way to answer the critical research question with the help of a theory.   Findings: Adapting to new work practices results in changes to job design as employers optimize their workforces to meet the demands of the latest techniques. Implementing disruptive technologies can improve the efficiency, safety, and fulfilment of the workplace in the automobile industry. The new-age practices driven by disruptive technologies enhance skill development, productivity, and employee engagement   Research, practical & social implications: Disruptive technologies are improving the safety and quality parameters. Organizations focusing on employees' up skilling based on learning preferences and learning styles tremendously impact productivity, motivation, and morale, enhancing job satisfaction and employee retention.    Originality/value: Data collected from the field interactions derived the factual position which was tested using various statistical tool to ensure reliability and validity. Findings added to the body of knowledge further.

  • WORK PRACTICES MEDIATED BY MOTIVATION ENHANCING PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE OF AIRPORTS POST-PRIVATIZATION – AN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE
    Sawmya Shanmuganathan and LRK.Krishnan

    RGSA- Revista de Gestao Social e Ambiental
    Purpose: Airport privatisation is rapidly gaining ground, leading to a significant increase in research interest. Amid rapid airport privatisation, Indian airports offer a unique lens to study the impact of work practices on productivity and performance mediated by motivation. Theoretical Framework: The study draws upon relevant theories including high-performance work systems (HPWS) and motivation theories impacting productivity and performance. Method: This study investigates the detailed thematic analysis and self-administered surveys (Likert scale) collected from 50 professionals in 9 major Public-Private Partnership (PPP or 3Ps) airports in India on various aspects of work practices which includes work design, digitisation, and flexibility, with motivation mediating productivity and performance including effectiveness, efficiency, and quality outcomes. Their reliability and validity were analysed using Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlation, and Mediating analysis using Process 4.2. Purposive sampling is employed in this study. Result: The study finds a positive impact of work practices on employee productivity and performance through motivation. Importantly, it reveals motivation as a key mediator, offering valuable insights for aviation professionals. The analysis confirms model accuracy by representing strong prediction and regression value alignment.

  • PANDEMIC-INDUCED WORK PRACTICES IMPACTING JOB SATISFACTION AND RETENTION; AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
    Poorani Sundarrajan and L. R. K. Krishnan

    South Florida Publishing LLC
    Purpose: The study helps to unpin changes in the work practices at various Plant and Office locations in Chennai, India. The transformation was studied in the context of the pandemic and consequent business trends. Diverse scholarly literature was referred to understand the accelerated trends impacting work practices.
  
 Theoretical framework: As a result of massive fluctuations in supply and demand, there was a need for immediate adaptation, improvement, and increased customer support. Companies tried to ensure their survival by cutting costs; many have laid -off their employees.
  
 Design/methodology/approach: The study is empirical and descriptive in nature, with a sample size of 60 collected from leading auto manufacturers.   Statistical tools such as SPSS and Smart Pls were used to analyze the data. Data was collected from automobile employees in Chennai/ India.
  
 Findings: The findings indicate that the industry has a large demographic dividend; hence, upskilling of workers, automation, digitalization and emerging technology will be a game-changer. The results also indicate the positive impact of job satisfaction on employee retention and productivity. The findings conclusively enhance the understanding of technology, accelerating upskilling job satisfaction and consequently aiding employee retention.
  
 Research, practical & social implications: Technology, automation, and shopfloor dynamics will drive productivity, performance, and smart manufacturing practices. We will experience less number of workers on the shop floor and more machines that drive production, enhance productivity and performance at the shop floor with minimal human interface.
  
 Originality/value: The finding has implications for the people in the industry, which has a vast demographic dividend and need to upskill its worker for the new wave; hence efforts have to be made by the organization, including massive investments in upskilling its employees to be ready to embrace technology, use of AI and robotics at the shop floor for production, enhancing value through intelligent manufacturing practices.

  • the impact of business cycles on the employee turnover process in the automobile industry, chennai, india


RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

    INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

    34+ yrs industry-academic - research experience