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High performance work systems in corporate turnaround: a German case study

Dimitrios M. Mihail (Department of Business Administration, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece)
Myra Mac Links (Sapient GmbH, Munich, Germany)
Sofoklis Sarvanidis (Department of Business Administration, City College, International Faculty of the University of Sheffield, Thessaloniki, Greece)

Journal of Organizational Change Management

ISSN: 0953-4814

Article publication date: 8 February 2013

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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

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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