collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS using reliability tests, descriptive

statistics and regression analysis. Results showed that IoT, cloud computing, automation facilities, and big data

analytics positively and significantly affected work-life balance, whereas 3D printing was the only technology

not positively and significantly related in this case. Regression analysis showed that new technologies

explained 61.9% of the variance accounted for WLB with IoT being the strongest predictor. In summary, these

results highlight the importance of increased use of advanced technologies in the apparel sector which can

enhance flexibility, provide support to stress, and enhance well-being. 3D printing cannot negatively affect

WLB, however, as the use of 3D printing is not sufficiently utilized in operations. The study is an important

contribution to the knowledge gaps regarding technology's contribution to maintaining a work life balance,

specifically female workers in Sri Lanka's apparel industry. The study recommends that organizations focus on

its most significant effects. Work-life balance is raising concern among employees and employers in the

apparel industry, ultimately for three reasons: women's involvement in the workplace, nuclear families, and the

dual-working concept, all contributing to an imbalance in work and family obligations due to dynamic work-

culture and lifestyle changes. Work-life balance has become a strategic concern for HR management and a

significant underpinning of employee retention strategy.

This research paper looks at the relationship between technology, which encompasses personal computers,

mobile phones, and other elements of information and communication technology (ICT) on employees work-

life balance. Although many different policies and flexible scheduling were introduced, an increased workload,

and work performance, which demands much of their job led to work-life imbalance. Therefore, advancement

in technologies can provide support to the employees to have a healthy workplace but it can also discourage

Problem Statement

Information and communication technology has become a key ingredient in many countries? Science and

technology development and, as a result, there is a greater demand for them globally. Major industry players

are finding it increasingly difficult to keep pace with the worldwide demand and technology. This opens up Sri

Lanka to become a world ICT destination of choice, being able to cope with this growing worldwide demand.

Therefore, Lakshani, (2020) concluded that a strong positive relationship exists between Work-related

technology usage on WLB by generation y employees: evidences from executive level employees in the Sri

Lankan apparel industry. Stokes (2019) also indicated a statistically significant relationship between

technology tools used for work and life tasks, and technology-assisted supplemental work during the workday.

The findings presented in this paper, indicate some inconsistency with some previously published findings that

skew of instructional faculty perceptions toward work life balance, as indicated in the research, might have a

couple underlying reasons. Research performed by (Postman, 1982) has indicated that in the contemporary age

technology plays a significant role in obtaining a work-life balance. In this Apparel industry that is providing

direct employment to over 300,000 workers in Sri Lanka (Export Development Board, 2021). As indicated by

Rajapakshe (2018), the apparel industry employs about 15% of the workforce and female workers account for

85% of the workforce. Even though apparel has a lot of advantages, the industry faces many challenges; one of

these is dealing with the problem of high employee turnover.

In addition, most of the studies divulged possible reasons for the identified factors that affect work-life balance

without reference to gender. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan apparel sector, usually cited for WLB inconsistencies

(Embuldeniya, 2015; Dissanayake & Ali, 2013) was considered an appropriate context to explore the identified

4. What is the effect of automation tools on work life balance?

5. What is the effect of big data analytics on work life balance?

The main objective is based on the impact of technology on work life balance with reference to female

workers, especially team leaders from selected garments in Ampara District.

1. To study the level of technology and work life balance in apparel sector?

2. Identify the relationship and effect of the technology on work life balance in the apparel sector.

Work-life balance is defined as "the degree to which an individual is engaged in - and satisfied with - his or her

The application of IoT technology in the industrial value chain sets the stage for Industry 4.0. IoT is a

comprehensive ecosystem of tools and services that must work cooperatively to provide a complete

proposition. IoT has much potential and possible benefits in the textile and fashion retail industry; it allows

more insights into customer needs and wants, better product assortment choices, better recommendations,

better design (patterns, shapes, etc.), innovation, and more, which leads to new business risks and opportunities

that need to be managed and governed appropriately (Chen, 2021).

Cloud computing has the potential to reduce IT operations and management costs (Damodaram, 2010). Cloud

computing is a relatively new kind of internet technology that uses remote servers for data storage and

can test the quality and performance measure of the product before committing to mass production which

saves excess expense and waste (Percival, 2010). 3D printing is a capital and technology-intensive process

which relies on little low-skilled labour, so for the future of apparel production, developed economies may

have a productive advantage (Vanderploeg, 2017).

The current applications of this technology is in stitching automotive interiors, but it can subsequently be

incorporated into clothing and other fabric products to produce higher quality products, gain a competitive

edge, and decrease labour expenses (Chowdhury, 2020). In several aspects, the automation technologies are

superior to human operators in efficiency, accuracy, affordability, and trustworthiness, and remains to be seen

whether they take away the majority of human operators. Automation has fully exchanged human operators in

Patel, & Sattari, 2022). In daily operations, the apparel industry predominantly uses big data analytics to make

important corporate decisions with customers, clients, and leaders (Nithya, Kusuma, & Muragaiah, 2022).

The study's goal is to evaluate the influence of technology on work life balance regarding female workers,

mostly team leaders from selected garments in the Ampara district. The researcher carefully selected a sample

of 86 female team leaders from a population of 104 in the selected garments in Ampara district, Sri Lanka. The

samples were randomly selected and the sample size was determined by using Krejcie and Morgan table. The

respondents had a good grasp of the study's purpose and were asked to respond to qualitative questions to

collect data. In summary, the study aims to examine technology impacts on work life balance. The results of

this study provide many valuable insights to support work life balance in working environment.

Table I: Reliability Analysis

Printing) + 0.253(Automation Tools) + 0.129(Data Analytics)

Therefore, with every unit increase in the internet of things, the work life balance will increase by 0.493, with

all the other variables held constant. For every unit increase in cloud computing, the work life balance increase

will increase by 0.343, with all the other variables held constant. And for every unit increase in 3D printing,

the work life balance will increase by 0.116, with all the other variables held constant. Similarly, for every unit

increase in automation tools, the work life balance will increase by 0.253. And also for every unit increase in

data analytics, the work life balance will increase by 0.129, with all the other variables held constant. In

addition, the coefficient results shows that the Internet of Things, Cloud computing, Automation Tools, and

Data Analytics are positive significant influence over the apparel sector females team leader work life balance

in Ampara district. This is consistent with results from (Alcácer. & Cruz-Machado, 2019), and it shows

context of advanced technological tools and work-life balance - for female team leaders in the apparel sector in

Ampara district in particular. All forms of advanced technological tools had a significant and positive effect on

work-life balance; these included the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, automation tools, and data

analytics. The IoT was overall the most significant theoretically, which demonstrated to be a major contributor

to effective and flexible workflows. Cloud computing and automation tools significantly enhance operations,

efficiency and primarily reduce stress relating to work life balance.

Interestingly, the study found that 3D printing, although becoming an increasingly relevant technology in the

industry, does not have a significant relationship with work-life balance in this sector. This indicates that its

use may be limited or not fully utilized in the work processes of the apparel industry in the Ampara district.

The findings suggest that the apparel industry should focus on developing strategic emerging technologies

the industry and the service sectors.

1. Ayokanmbi, F. M. (2021). The impact of big data analytics on decision-making. International Journal of