Abstract
The transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 has renewed attention to the human dimension of technological transformation. While Industry 5.0 places greater emphasis on human-centricity, sustainability and resilience, the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment, performance management, workforce analytics and decisionmaking also raises questions concerning trust, fairness, accountability, employee wellbeing and human dignity. This conceptual paper revisits the Tawhidic paradigm of human resource management (HRM) and develops an Islamic framework for sustainable workplace excellence in the context of Industry 5.0. The paper builds on an earlier conceptual treatment of Tawhidic HRM, which positioned Tawhid, the roles of human beings as ‘abd and khalifah, amanah (trust), ‘adalah (justice), responsible work and harmonious employer–employee relationships as central foundations. Through a conceptual and textual approach, the paper integrates these principles with contemporary discussions on human-centred AI and Industry 5.0. The proposed Tawhidic Human Resource Management (THRM) framework argues that technology should remain subordinate to ethical human purposes and that HR decisions should be guided by accountability to Allah, justice, trust, benevolence, human dignity and responsibility toward society and the environment. The framework correlates Tawhidic foundations to human purpose, ethical HR practices, responsible AI, employee wellbeing, sustainability and organisational resilience. The paper proposes a values-based Islamic perspective to the emerging HRM 5.0 discourse and suggests practical approaches for organisations to integrate advanced technologies such while sustaining a strong focus on human needs, values and wellbeing.
Keywords: Tawhidic paradigm; Islamic human resource management; Industry 5.0; artificial intelligence; employee wellbeing; organisational justice; sustainability
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