HR and the Implementation of High-Performance Work Practices: Tactics That Work

Hermans, Michel

HR and the Implementation of High-Performance Work Practices: Tactics That Work

Abstract

[Excerpt] Studies consistently show that bundles of High Performance Work Practices (HPWPs) can and often do contribute to the achievement of a number of positive organizational outcomes including higher productivity, better quality, improved customer service, and enhanced revenues and profits. At the same time, evidence suggests that the HPWPs concept is only slowly diffusing across companies both in the U.S. and abroad. Why is this? Better still, what can HR managers do to close this gap and, thus, better serve their organizations? A study by Michel Hermans, a recent graduate of the ILR School’s PhD program, addresses these questions by identifying the activities that HR organizations worldwide have used to foster the successful adoption of HPWPs in their firms. The study used data obtained from a global survey – the Human Resource Competency Study (HRCS) conducted in collaboration with Dr. Dave Ulrich and the staff at the RBL Group – that ultimately involved 274 business units, primarily in manufacturing and services. Respondents included 6,019 HR managers and 3,603 line managers

Date Issued

2019-03-01

Keywords

high performance; HPWP; work practices; line managers

Types

article