Title: Linking high-performance work systems and business performance: the role of employees' attitudes and behaviours

Authors: Isidro Peña; Jesús David Sánchez de Pablo; Felipe Hernández; Manuel Villasalero

Addresses: Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain ' Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain ' Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cobertizo San Pedro Mártir s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain ' Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain

Abstract: Both scholars and practitioners are beginning to recognise the role that human resources may play in allowing firms to remain competitive. Human Resource (HR) systems, as bundles of HR practices, and their impact on organisational performance are therefore attracting considerable attention. In spite of the variety of studies, approaches and statistical methodologies brought to bear on this issue, scholars have been unable to clarify the manner and conditions under which HR systems can become a source of competitive advantage. This owes, in part, to empirical researchers having overlooked mediating hypotheses, and instead merely choosing to examine the direct relationship between HR systems and firm performance. The critical issue is to examine the mediating mechanisms, such as employees' attitudes, through which HR management activities affect business performance. Our findings from cross-level analysis indicate that the relationship between HR systems and business performance undergoes a mediating effect from employees' attitudes and behaviours.

Keywords: high-performance work systems; employee attitudes; employee behaviours; firm performance; social exchange theory; business performance; HRM; human resource management; human resources.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2015.071549

European Journal of International Management, 2015 Vol.9 No.5, pp.648 - 666

Received: 24 Feb 2014
Accepted: 12 Sep 2014
Published online: 31 Aug 2015 *

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