OPTIMIZING HRM PRACTICES FOR ENHANCED WORKFORCE PRODUCTIVITY IN PUBLIC SECTOR MANUFACTURING: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF INTEGRAL COACH FACTORY, CHENNAI

Authors:

J. Mithun Venkata Sai

MBA Student, Department of Management Studies

Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai – Affiliated to Anna University

ABSTRACT:

This study examines how Human Resource Management (HRM) practices can be strategically optimized to enhance workforce productivity within a large-scale public sector manufacturing unit — the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, operating under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. The research explores critical HR dimensions including HR budgeting, resource allocation, employee welfare, pension and retirement schemes, performance management, and employee engagement. A descriptive research design with a mixed-method approach was adopted, combining primary data from surveys administered to 122 employees with secondary sources including government reports and policy documents. Non-parametric statistical tools such as Spearman's Rank Correlation, Kruskal-Wallis H-Test, Chi-Square Test, and Mann-Whitney U Test were employed given that the data did not follow normal distribution. The findings reveal that ICF maintains a well-structured HR framework, with strong institutional awareness and generally positive employee perceptions toward welfare schemes and retirement benefits. However, significant gaps remain in performance management transparency, continuous training, and innovation in welfare practices. The study concludes with actionable recommendations for strengthening ICF's HRM framework to achieve sustained productivity improvements.

Keywords: Human Resource Management, Public Sector Manufacturing, Productivity, Integral Coach Factory, Workforce Optimization, Employee Welfare, Performance Appraisal, Non-parametric Tests