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High-performance work systems and employee outcomes in Indian call centres: a mediation approach

Subramaniam Ananthram (Curtin University, Perth, Australia)
Matthew J. Xerri (Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia)
Stephen T.T. Teo (School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia)
Julia Connell (Graduate Research School, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

Personnel Review

ISSN: 0048-3486

Article publication date: 10 May 2018

Issue publication date: 25 May 2018

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationships between high-performance work systems (HPWSs) and four employee outcomes – job satisfaction, employee engagement, presenteeism and well-being – in Indian call centres.

Design/methodology/approach

A path model is developed to investigate the direct and mediation effects between the assessed variables. The study utilised a survey of 250 call centre employees working in five business process management firms based in India.

Findings

The findings indicate that HPWSs have a positive relationship with job satisfaction, engagement and well-being. Job satisfaction also had a positive relationship with engagement and presenteeism, and engagement was positively related to presenteeism and well-being. However, there was no significant direct effect of HPWS on presenteeism. Mediation analysis showed that HPWS has an indirect effect on well-being via engagement and also via job satisfaction and engagement combined.

Research limitations/implications

HPWS significantly increases job satisfaction and employee engagement and indirectly influences employee well-being via these outcomes. However, job satisfaction and employee engagement was also found to increase presenteeism, which, in turn, can reduce employee well-being. These findings contribute to the HPWS theory and the literature on employee well-being, and have implications for HR personnel and call centre management.

Originality/value

Given the well-established challenges with employee retention in Indian call centre environments, one solution may be the adoption of a more strategic approach to HRM using HPWS. Such an approach may enhance employees’ perceptions that HPWS practices would have a positive influence on job satisfaction, employee engagement and employee well-being.

Keywords

Citation

Ananthram, S., Xerri, M.J., Teo, S.T.T. and Connell, J. (2018), "High-performance work systems and employee outcomes in Indian call centres: a mediation approach", Personnel Review, Vol. 47 No. 4, pp. 931-950. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-09-2016-0239

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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