Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: In the pharmaceutical industry, learning and development (L&D) has evolved from a compliance-oriented training function to a strategic enabler of workforce competitiveness, innovation, and organizational resilience in recent years. However, research on L&D in the pharmaceutical industry remains fragmented and requires a systematic synthesis. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Using predefined search strings in Scopus, peer-reviewed journal articles from 2015 to 2025 in Business and Economics were retrieved, and 1,769 records were screened, resulting in 58 studies being included in the review. Publication trends, leading journals, geographical distribution, and themes of the literature were examined using descriptive and thematic analyses. While there was an increase in publications in the literature, most were published between 2021 and 2023, likely due to the increased focus on upskilling the workforce and digital transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The leading journals were the Journal of Business Research, Human Resource Development International, and Management Decision, and research was concentrated in the United States, Europe, India, and China, with little evidence of collaborative networks among them. The dominant themes included digital training, leadership development, regulatory learning, and workforce reskilling, and the conceptual frameworks included the Knowledge-Based View and Human Capital Theory, although few were tailored to the pharmaceutical industry’s regulatory context. The study outcomes emphasized enhancements in employee performance, innovation capacity, compliance, and organizational growth. This review suggests that L&D is a strategic imperative in the pharmaceutical industry and can drive competitiveness. However, gaps exist, particularly in longitudinal studies, AI-driven learning evaluations, and research on emerging economies.
DOI: 10.14419/bjsjp624
Authors: Ms. Uma Sundari U, Dr. Suresh Sirisetti
Institution: GITAM University
Language: Greek
Subfield: Applied Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4417115683
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