High performance work systems in corporate turnaround: a German case study
Journal of Organizational Change Management
ISSN: 0953-4814
Article publication date: 8 February 2013
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the nexus of high‐performance work systems (HPWS) with corporate change that leads to enhanced performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a case study method and analyzes the impact of a HPWS, adopted at a German medical technology company, on corporate turnaround and performance outcomes. In the present study, conducting in‐depth interviews with the social partners of corporate change, the authors investigate how leadership, competition forces and employee relations interacted with a bundle of high‐performance work practices led the company to massive changes in production with noticeable performance outcomes.
Findings
The analysis lends support to the HPWS approach that links certain high‐commitment work practices to corporate changes and enhanced performance outcomes such as rising employee productivity and sales over the last decade.
Practical implications
The study pinpoints key factors that could optimally be used as a best practice framework for change management leading to corporate turnaround in a highly volatile world economy.
Social implications
The HPWS approach, facilitating corporate turnaround, underlines the importance of social partnership for modern corporations to handle groundbreaking changes and survive the fierce competition in global markets.
Originality/value
Using a case study method, the analysis lends some support to the HPWS perspective that links high‐commitment work practices to enhanced corporate performance.
Keywords
Citation
Mihail, D.M., Mac Links, M. and Sarvanidis, S. (2013), "High performance work systems in corporate turnaround: a German case study", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 190-216. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534811311307978
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited