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Are High-Performance Work Systems always a valuable retention tool? The roles of workforce feminization and flexible work arrangements

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  • Stirpe, Luigi
  • Zárraga-Oberty, Celia

Abstract

High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) are commonly related to higher rates of employee retention. However, variations in such rates arising from differences in workforce gender composition have hardly been studied, so the aim here is to address these issues based on a sample of British workplaces. It is hypothesized that HPWS have reduced retention outcomes in highly feminized workplaces as compared to less feminized ones. An exploration is also made of how HPWS operate in conjunction with the provision of Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) to affect retention across both types of workplaces. The results suggest that workforce gender composition does indeed matter when it comes to the relationship between HPWS and retention. Contrary to expectations, the provision of FWAs alongside HPWS appears to be a less-than-optimal approach to retain employees, particularly in highly feminized workplaces.

Suggested Citation

  • Stirpe, Luigi & Zárraga-Oberty, Celia, 2017. "Are High-Performance Work Systems always a valuable retention tool? The roles of workforce feminization and flexible work arrangements," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 128-136.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eurman:v:35:y:2017:i:1:p:128-136
    DOI: 10.1016/j.emj.2016.04.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Groen, Bianca A.C. & van Triest, Sander P. & Coers, Michael & Wtenweerde, Neeke, 2018. "Managing flexible work arrangements: Teleworking and output controls," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 727-735.
    2. Ashish Varma & Adnan Khan, 2023. "Simons levers of control disentangled: A quasi-experiment into the competitiveness of hybrid firms," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(2), pages 19-41.
    3. Bernice Kotey & Isaac Koomson, 2021. "Firm size differences in financial returns from flexible work arrangements (FWAs)," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(1), pages 65-81, January.
    4. Soga, Lebene Richmond & Bolade-Ogunfodun, Yemisi & Mariani, Marcello & Nasr, Rita & Laker, Benjamin, 2022. "Unmasking the other face of flexible working practices: A systematic literature review," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 648-662.
    5. Beham, Barbara & Baierl, Andreas & Eckner, Janin, 2020. "When does part-time employment allow managers with family responsibilities to stay on the career track? A vignette study among German managers," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 580-590.
    6. Hazem Ali & Min Li & Xunmin Qiu, 2024. "Examination of HRM practices in relation to the retention of Chinese Gen Z employees," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    7. Abdelmohsen A. Nassani & Hadi Hussain & Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka & László Vasa & Zahid Yousaf & Mohamed Haffar, 2023. "Analyzing the Leading Role of High-Performance Work System towards Strategic Business Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-11, March.

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