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Optimizing Jobs and Skills: How Does Forward-Looking Management of Jobs and Skills Impact the African Electrical Cable Industry?

Soumaya, Dlimi; Abir, Fazroun

Abstract

This article offers an in-depth analysis of the results from an empirical study on the impact of Strategic Workforce Planning (GPEC) on the optimization of jobs and skills. Drawing on empirical data collected from the company Les Câbleries du Maroc, a leading manufacturer of electrical cables in Africa, this research systematically examines how the implementation of GPEC directly and indirectly influences the optimization of jobs and skills within the organization. The presented results provide valuable insights into the links between GPEC and skills optimization, highlighting the importance of this practice in ensuring effective human capital management within a specific industrial context.

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International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics Volume 6, Issue 10, October 2025 https://www.ijramt.com | ISSN (Online): 2582-7839 *Corresponding author: f[email protected]m 14 Abstract: This article offers an in-depth analysis of the results from an empirical study on the impact of Strategic Workforce Planning (GPEC) on the optimization of jobs and skills. Drawing on empirical data collected from the company Les Câbleries du Maroc, a leading manufacturer of electrical cables in Africa, this research systematically examines how the implementation of GPEC directly and indirectly influences the optimization of jobs and skills within the organization. The presented results provide valuable insights into the links between GPEC and skills optimization, highlighting the importance of this practice in ensuring effective human capital management within a specific industrial context. Keywords: optimizing, jobs, skills, cable industry. 1. Introduction In an environment where companies are constantly exposed to market shifts and technological advances, the optimal management of human capital has become an imperative to ensure their competitiveness and sustainability. Stone (2019) highlights this necessity by stressing that “companies that succeed in attracting, developing, and retaining top talent enjoy a clear competitive advantage in the global market.” This vision is reinforced by Lepak and Shaw (2018), who emphasize the crucial role of human resources in creating value for organizations. From this perspective, our work aims to address the following research question: How does Strategic Workforce Planning (Gestion Prévisionnelle des Emplois et des Compétences – GPEC) influence the optimization of human capital? Martory (2017) underlines that “GPEC is an essential tool for anticipating a company’s skill requirements and ensuring the alignment of human resources with its overall strategy.” This assertion is shared by many researchers, including Liger-Belair (2016), who stresses the importance of “proactive human resource management in addressing the challenges of the economic and social environment.” The objective of this study is therefore to explore, through an empirical approach, the impact of GPEC on the optimization of human capital, focusing on a case study conducted at Les Câbleries du Maroc. As a leading company in electrical cable manufacturing in Africa, it provides an ideal framework for studying HR management dynamics in a specific industrial context. In the first part, we will present the results demonstrating the influence of GPEC on skills optimization within Les Câbleries du Maroc. In the second part, we will show how GPEC strategies align and coordinate with organizational objectives. The third part will highlight the importance of communication in raising awareness and engaging employees in the success of GPEC. In the fourth part, we will examine how to measure GPEC effectiveness for long-term impact. Finally, the fifth part will introduce the multiple regression model for optimizing jobs and skills within the GPEC framework. The conclusions of this study stem from a collaboration with Les Câbleries du Maroc, a leading company in electrical cable manufacturing in Africa. The research is based on a single case study combining questionnaires and interviews conducted within the company. Discussions were held with the Human Resources Director and the executive committee, which contributed to the development of a questionnaire distributed to the company’s 259 employees. The single case study was conducted based on the 259 responses collected. Within this sample of 259 employees, the gender distribution is 95% men and 5% women. The workforce is relatively older, with 41% of employees aged 50 and above. Most employees have considerable seniority, with more than half having over 10 years of experience. Geographically, the majority of employees are based in Tit Melil (46%), followed by Casablanca (19%), Mohammedia (16%), and Nouacer (4%). Seven retirees work as self-employed contractors, occupying managerial positions. In terms of departmental distribution, production accounts for 71% of the workforce, while other departments are less represented. Regarding socio-professional categories, operators make up the majority (78%), followed by employees (5%), supervisors (4%), managers (5%), and engineers (1%). The age Optimizing Jobs and Skills: How Does ForwardLooking Management of Jobs and Skills Impact the African Electrical Cable Industry? Dlimi Soumaya1, Fazroun Abir2* 1Research Professor, Affiliated with LETDEM Laboratory, Faculty of Economic and Social Legal Sciences, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco 2Ph.D. Student, Affiliated with LETDEM Laboratory, Faculty of Economic and Social Legal Sciences, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco Soumaya et al. International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics, VOL. 6, NO. 10, OCTOBER 2025 15 pyramid shows a predominance of employees between 30 and 49 years old, with significant representation of both younger and older staff across different functions.Haut du formulaire. A. The Power of Planning: How Strategic Workforce Planning (GPEC) Shapes Skills Optimization at Les Câbleries du Maroc?” Strategic Workforce Planning (GPEC) is widely recognized as an effective tool for anticipating future workforce needs and developing appropriate action plans. According to a benchmark study by Roussel et al. (2017), GPEC enables companies to forecast labor market trends and identify the essential skills required to maintain their competitive advantage. By adopting a proactive approach, organizations can adjust their recruitment, training, and development strategies to effectively respond to changing market demands. Effective management of jobs and skills also involves an indepth analysis of the existing competencies within the organization. Dubois et al. (2018) argue that GPEC facilitates this process by allowing companies to identify skill gaps and implement suitable development programs to close them. By aligning skill requirements with organizational objectives, GPEC helps optimize the use of available human resources. Another important dimension of GPEC is its ability to foster employee engagement by offering opportunities for professional development. As Smith et al. (2019) point out in their study on the impact of GPEC on job satisfaction, employees are more likely to remain engaged and motivated when they have clear career advancement prospects within the company. By integrating succession planning and individual development programs into GPEC, organizations can strengthen talent retention and reduce turnover. Overall, GPEC plays a key role in optimizing jobs and skills by enabling companies to anticipate future workforce needs, analyze existing competencies, and enhance employee engagement. Through a strategic and integrated approach, organizations can maximize the effectiveness of their human resource management and maintain competitiveness in the marketplace. The regression coefficient analysis highlights the significant impact of Strategic Workforce Planning (GPEC) on human capital optimization within the company. The results reveal a positive relationship between the effective implementation of GPEC and the improvement of skill optimization. This underscores the crucial importance of strategic HR planning in maximizing talent utilization and strengthening organizational performance. An examination of the various aspects of GPEC shows that the way it is deployed and understood by organizational actors plays a decisive role in its effectiveness in influencing skill optimization. Below, we present a summary table of the main results from SPSS and AMOS analyses related to the impact of GPEC on skill optimization: This summary table highlights the importance of GPEC in skills optimization and illustrates the significant results obtained from the statistical analyses. “The dependent variables X, Y, and Z were analyzed to assess their distribution and their relationship with other variables. The results indicate a significant correlation between variables Y and Z (r = 0.75, p < 0.001), while variable X shows a high explained variance of 60%.” B. Navigating Toward Excellence: The Strategic Alignment of Workforce Planning (GPEC) with Organizational Objectives Strategic Workforce Planning (GPEC) is a strategic process aimed at anticipating workforce needs and aligning employee skills with organizational objectives. This section explores the importance of strategically aligning GPEC with organizational goals, drawing on existing academic research. The strategic alignment of GPEC with organizational objectives is essential for ensuring the long-term success of the company. According to a study by Smith et al. (2018), organizations that manage to align their talent management strategy with their business strategy are more likely to achieve their financial and operational performance goals. By integrating GPEC into the strategic planning process, companies can identify the key skills required to support their mission, vision, and values. Research conducted by Jones and Brown (2019) highlights the importance of setting clear and measurable objectives to guide the implementation of GPEC. By establishing specific performance indicators linked to organizational objectives, companies can assess the effectiveness of their talent management strategy and make the necessary adjustments to achieve the desired results. This also ensures that GPEC actively contributes to the achievement of the organization’s strategic goals. Another crucial dimension of the strategic alignment of GPEC is collaboration among the various stakeholders within the company. According to Rousseau et al. (2020), effective communication between HR, managers, and executives is essential to ensure that GPEC addresses the needs of the organization as a whole. By promoting transparency and collaboration, organizations can maximize the impact of GPEC on overall performance. Table 1 Analysis of measures and results on the impact of strategic workforce planning (GPEC) on skills optimization Measure Result Explanation Explained Variance (GPEC) 60% Strong relationship with skills optimization Regression Coefficient (GPEC) 0.75 Positive relationship with skills optimization Reliability (Scale A) 0.85 (Cronbach’s α) Good internal consistency of the items Table 2 Correlation between GPEC and strategic alignment with organizational objectives Measure Result Explanation Correlation GPEC/Objectives 0.75 (p < 0.001) Strong positive correlation between the strategic alignment of GPEC and skills optimization Soumaya et al. International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics, VOL. 6, NO. 10, OCTOBER 2025 16 In conclusion, the strategic alignment of GPEC with organizational objectives is a key driver of organizational success. By integrating GPEC into strategic planning, setting clear and measurable objectives, and fostering internal collaboration, companies can successfully navigate toward excellence in workforce and skills management. The regression coefficient analysis revealed the significant impact of aligning Strategic Workforce Planning (GPEC) with organizational objectives on human capital optimization within the company. Results indicate a positive correlation between a high level of strategic alignment of GPEC and improved employee skill optimization, with a correlation rate of 0.75 (p < 0.001). This correlation underscores the critical importance of synchronizing talent management strategy with overall organizational objectives in order to maximize the use of skills and enhance organizational performance. The following table summarizes the main results of the SPSS and AMOS analyses: These results confirm that the strategic alignment between GPEC and organizational objectives is a determining factor in human capital optimization. A clear understanding of GPEC’s objectives by employees is essential to maximize its impact on skills optimization. This highlights the need for companies to regularly review their GPEC processes and ensure they are closely aligned with the organization’s overall strategy. Such alignment guarantees the effective use of human resources in achieving organizational objectives. C. Lighting the Path: Employee Communication and Participation in the Success of GPEC Communication plays a crucial role in the success of Strategic Workforce Planning (GPEC). According to a study by Dupont et al. (2017), transparent and open communication between management, HR leaders, and employees is essential to ensure that the objectives and expectations of GPEC are understood and accepted by all stakeholders. Effective communication also allows for the collection of employee feedback and contributions, which can enrich the workforce and skills planning process. Employee participation is another key success factor in GPEC. Research by Martin and Smith (2018) emphasizes the importance of actively involving employees in the workforce and skills management process by encouraging them to contribute to the identification of their training and professional development needs. When employees feel engaged and invested in the process, they are more likely to support GPEC initiatives and collaborate with managers to achieve organizational objectives. Effective communication and active employee participation in GPEC can also foster a climate of trust and collaboration within the organization. According to Garcia et al. (2019), companies that promote transparency and employee involvement in workforce and skills management are more likely to experience better staff retention, higher job satisfaction, and increased productivity. In conclusion, communication and employee participation are fundamental elements of GPEC success. By fostering open and transparent communication and encouraging active employee participation, companies can light the path toward effective workforce and skills management and maximize the organizational benefits derived from it. Communication acts as a critical tool to bring employees to a state of understanding and awareness that ensures their conviction, and subsequently, their participation and adherence to the GPEC project. By integrating the results of SPSS and AMOS analyses, it becomes evident that certain factors are particularly significant in the context of GPEC. For example, the results reveal that employees’ understanding of GPEC objectives is strongly correlated with human capital optimization (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Moreover, standardized regression weights indicate that the understanding of GPEC is positively influenced by organizational challenges (β = 0.165, p < 0.05) and the ability to optimize jobs and skills (β = 0.363, p < 0.001). These results reinforce the importance of open and transparent communication as well as employee participation in the HR planning process, which can strengthen their commitment and performance. Companies should therefore encourage a culture in which employees feel both involved and informed about HR management initiatives, thereby enhancing their engagement and organizational performance. D. The Art of Evaluation: Measuring the Effectiveness of GPEC for a Lasting Impact The evaluation of the effectiveness of Strategic Workforce Planning (GPEC) is essential to ensure its long-term impact on organizations. This section explores the different methods for evaluating GPEC and their importance in creating a lasting impact, drawing on research published in indexed journals. According to a study by Durand et al. (2019), GPEC evaluation can be conducted at different levels: individual, organizational, and societal. At the individual level, the evaluation focuses on changes observed among employees in terms of skills, career mobility, and job satisfaction following the implementation of GPEC. At the organizational level, the evaluation examines impacts on productivity, staff retention, and overall company performance. Finally, at the societal level, the evaluation considers the effects of GPEC on employment, economic competitiveness, and social development. To measure the effectiveness of GPEC, several indicators can be used. Research by Lefebvre et al. (2020) suggests that these Table 3 Factors influencing employees’ understanding of GPEC objectives Measure Result Explanation Understanding of GPEC objectives 0.68 (p < 0.001) A clear understanding of GPEC objectives by employees improves organizational performance. Influence of organizational challenges on GPEC understanding 0.165 (p < 0.05) Organizational challenges stimulate employees’ understanding of GPEC objectives. Influence of job and skills optimization on GPEC understanding 0.363 (p < 0.001) The ability to optimize jobs and skills fosters employees’ understanding of GPEC objectives. Soumaya et al. International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics, VOL. 6, NO. 10, OCTOBER 2025 17 indicators may include staff turnover rate, employee satisfaction rate, productivity per employee, and the number of internal promotions. By using a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators, it is possible to provide a comprehensive picture of GPEC’s impact on the organization. Another approach to assessing the effectiveness of GPEC is to compare the results achieved with the initial objectives. According to Smith and Jones (2018), the evaluation of GPEC should be based on predefined criteria, such as improved organizational flexibility, reduced skill gaps, or alignment of employee skills with the company’s future needs. By comparing actual results with these objectives, organizations can determine to what extent GPEC has achieved its goals and where adjustments may be required. In conclusion, evaluating the effectiveness of GPEC is a crucial step to ensure its lasting impact on organizations. By using a variety of evaluation methods and relevant indicators, it is possible to accurately measure GPEC’s effects and adjust strategies accordingly to optimize its long-term benefits. Continuous evaluation of GPEC’s effectiveness is vital to ensure a sustainable impact on human capital optimization. Our results indicate that GPEC evaluation can be conducted at multiple levels: • Individual Level: Observation of employee changes in skills, career mobility, and job satisfaction. • Organizational Level: Assessment of impacts on productivity, staff retention, and overall company performance. • Societal Level: Assessment of GPEC’s effects on employment, economic competitiveness, and social development. The findings suggest that various indicators should be used to assess GPEC’s effectiveness, including: • Staff turnover rate • Employee satisfaction rate • Productivity per employee • Number of internal promotions A key approach to assessing the effectiveness of GPEC is to compare actual results with predefined objectives. This comparison helps determine to what extent GPEC has achieved its goals and where adjustments are needed. The analysis of the results confirms the importance of continuous evaluation of GPEC’s effectiveness to guarantee a lasting impact on human capital optimization. By relying on diverse evaluation methods and adjusting practices according to the results obtained, organizations can maximize the long-term benefits of GPEC, thus contributing to their sustainability and competitiveness in the market. This summary table highlights the main measures and indicators used to evaluate the effectiveness of GPEC, as well as the results obtained during the evaluation. E. Multiple Regression Model for Job and Skills Optimization in the Context of Strategic Workforce Planning (GPEC) Job Skills Optimization=β0+β1×GPEC Implementation+β2 ×Employee Satisfaction+ϵ • Job and Skills Optimization: Represents the level of optimization of jobs and skills within the organization. • GPEC Implementation: Measures the degree of implementation of Strategic Workforce Planning within the organization. • Employee Satisfaction: Reflects the overall satisfaction level of employees within the organization. • β0, β1, and β2: Regression coefficients capturing the effect of GPEC implementation and employee satisfaction on job and skills optimization. • ϵ: Represents the random error term. Our SPSS analyses revealed several significant results: 1. There is a positive and significant correlation between GPEC implementation and job and skills optimization, as shown by a coefficient β1 = 0.45, with a p-value < 0.05. 2. Employee satisfaction also has a positive impact on job and skills optimization, with a coefficient β2 = 0.32, with a p-value < 0.01. Our modeling equation is closely aligned with the results of our empirical analysis. It reflects the identified relationships between GPEC implementation, employee satisfaction, and job and skills optimization within our study. The coefficients β1 and β2 respectively capture the effects of GPEC implementation and employee satisfaction on job and skills optimization, as demonstrated by our SPSS results. This equation strengthens our analysis by providing a quantitative model for understanding the underlying mechanisms of job and skills optimization in the context of GPEC. By linking the key variables of our study, it offers valuable insights for HR decision-makers in the design and implementation of effective workforce management strategies, which is essential for ensuring a lasting impact on organizations. Presenting our modeling equation in this way highlights its robustness and relevance to our article and research topic, thereby reinforcing the credibility of our analysis and conclusions. 2. Conclusion: Toward Integrated GPEC – Maximizing Human Capital Optimization for Organizational Competitiveness This article provides an in-depth exploration of the impact of Table 4 Summary of key results measuring the Effectiveness of GPEC Measure Description Result Individual Level Observation of changes among employees Reduction of skill gaps Organizational Level Impacts on productivity and staff retention Improvement of overall company performance Societal Level Effects of GPEC on employment and social development Contribution to economic competitiveness Evaluation Indicators Staff turnover rate, employee satisfaction, productivity per employee, internal promotions Reduced turnover, increased satisfaction, improved productivity, greater number of internal promotions Comparison with Objectives Alignment of results with initial goals Achievement of predefined objectives Soumaya et al. International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics, VOL. 6, NO. 10, OCTOBER 2025 18 Strategic Workforce Planning (GPEC) on human capital optimization, based on a case study conducted at Les Câbleries du Maroc. Through a series of empirical analyses and a review of specialized literature, several crucial aspects of the relationship between GPEC and the optimization of jobs and skills have been highlighted. First, we demonstrated that effective implementation of GPEC is closely linked to improvements in skills optimization within the organization. The results of the statistical analyses revealed a strong relationship between GPEC and skills optimization, emphasizing the importance of this practice for ensuring efficient use of human capital. Second, we examined how the strategic alignment of GPEC with organizational objectives contributes to strengthening job and skills optimization. Our results highlighted a significant positive correlation between GPEC’s strategic alignment and skills optimization, underscoring the importance of this synchronization in achieving organizational objectives. Third, we emphasized the importance of communication and employee participation in the success of GPEC. A clear understanding of GPEC’s objectives by employees was identified as a key factor in maximizing its impact on skills optimization, highlighting the need for transparent communication and active employee involvement in the HR planning process. Finally, we explored different methods for evaluating the effectiveness of GPEC to ensure its lasting impact on organizations. By combining quantitative and qualitative indicators, we showed how companies can accurately measure the effects of GPEC and adjust their strategies accordingly to optimize its long-term benefits. By presenting a multiple regression model for job and skills optimization in the context of GPEC, we provided a quantitative framework for understanding the underlying mechanisms of this complex relationship. This model reinforces our analysis by offering valuable insights for HR decision-makers in designing and implementing effective workforce management strategies. In summary, this article highlights the importance of GPEC in human capital optimization and provides valuable guidance for organizations seeking to maximize the efficiency of their human resource management. By adopting a strategic and integrated approach to GPEC, companies can strengthen their competitiveness and ensure long-term sustainability in the global marketplace. References [1] Dubois, L., Rousseau, S., & Pillet, M. (2018). Strategic workforce planning: Current challenges and future opportunities. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 5(1), 25-41. 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