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High Performance Work Systems and Public Sector Workplace Performance in Britain

Author

Listed:
  • White, Michael

    (Policy Studies Institute)

  • Bryson, Alex

    (University College London)

Abstract

Using nationally representative surveys of workplaces with 50 or more employees we find the adoption of High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) in the public sector are positively correlated with workplace financial performance and the implementation of workplace organizational change. The associations are stable in 2004 and 2011, despite the intervening recession and cuts in public finance. The results are thus broadly consistent with studies finding similar positive correlations between HPWS and workplace performance in the private sector. There was little heterogeneity in effects across sectors within the public sector, with the exception of health services where the effects of HPWS on workplace change were lower.

Suggested Citation

  • White, Michael & Bryson, Alex, 2019. "High Performance Work Systems and Public Sector Workplace Performance in Britain," IZA Discussion Papers 12517, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12517
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    financial performance; public sector; high performance work systems; organizational change;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets
    • M5 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

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