The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Workforce Restructuring in Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises in Hanoi

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is profoundly transforming production systems and human resource management practices within organizations. The adoption of AI not only contributes to improving labor productivity but also accelerates workforce restructuring by altering skill requirements, employment structures, and workforce utilization patterns. This study aims to examine the impact of AI adoption on workforce restructuring in small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Drawing upon Human Capital Theory and Skill-Biased Technological Change Theory, the study proposes a research framework comprising four key constructs: AI adoption, reskilling and upskilling, workforce restructuring, and organizational performance. Research data were collected from 350 small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in Hanoi using a structured questionnaire survey. The findings indicate that AI adoption has a significant positive effect on employee training and skill development activities. Furthermore, AI facilitates workforce restructuring by increasing demand for employees with digital competencies, technological expertise, and data-related capabilities. The study provides important empirical evidence for managers and policymakers in formulating human resource development strategies to enhance workforce adaptability in the context of digital transformation and AI implementation.