The human side of Industry 5.0: the role of job satisfaction

As a core dimension of social sustainability, employees play an essential role in achieving long-term organisational success. Grounded in the Resource-Based View, this study explores the relationships among employee job satisfaction, supply chain agility, and firm sustainability. Empirical data comprising 271 responses were collected from firms in the United Arab Emirates. A multi-method research design is employed, incorporating factor analysis, structural equation modelling, mediation analysis, and multigroup analysis. Findings reveal that job satisfaction has a significant effect on firm sustainability, mediated by supply chain agility. Moreover, the multigroup analysis indicates that the positive impact of job satisfaction on supply chain agility is stronger in small and medium-sized enterprises compared to large firms. This study provides empirical evidence on the role of human factors in enhancing firm sustainability. It offers valuable insights for managers and policymakers seeking to promote employee well-being as a pathway to increased organisational resilience and sustainability performance.