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Knowledge Strategies, Firm Types, and Complementarity in Human-Resource Practices

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  • Keld Laursen
  • Volker Mahnke

Abstract

This paper argues that complementary humanresource practices play an important role inthe development of a knowledge based theory offirm. In general, such a theory might beadvanced through investigating complementarycoordination mechanisms as components ofgovernance structures. In particular, humanresource practice combinations contribute ascoordination mechanisms to organise knowledgecreation and exploitation in complex socialrelations. Yet, little is known about why and howinnovation strategies and activity systems ofdifferent firm types relate to combinations ofhuman resource practices. We address this gapby investigating the impact of firm types andknowledge strategies pursued on the applicationof human resource practices in a multisectoralsample of 684 manufacturing and 1,200non-manufacturing firms. We find that theadoption of practices applied differ with thecharacteristics of knowledge strategies andwith firm types. In addition, after controllingfor these differences, we find thatcomplementarity effects among practices arepresent in varying degrees. The implications ofour findings include that there are fewerrestrictions to combinations of coordinationmechanisms than widely assumed. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 2001

Suggested Citation

  • Keld Laursen & Volker Mahnke, 2001. "Knowledge Strategies, Firm Types, and Complementarity in Human-Resource Practices," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 5(1), pages 1-27, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jmgtgv:v:5:y:2001:i:1:p:1-27
    DOI: 10.1023/A:1017985623502
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mendelson, Haim & Pillai, Ravindran R., 1999. "Information Age organizations, dynamics and performance," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 253-281, March.
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    4. William M. Dugger, 1996. "The Mechanisms of Governance," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(4), pages 1212-1216, December.
    5. Susan Athey & Scott Stern, 1998. "An Empirical Framework for Testing Theories About Complimentarity in Organizational Design," NBER Working Papers 6600, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Mahoney, Joseph T., 1995. "The management of resources and the resource of management," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 91-101, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    complementarities; human resource practices; innovation; knowledge coordination;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights

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