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Human Resources and Business Performance: Findings, Unanswered Questions, and an Alternative Approach

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  • Barry Gerhart

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Abstract

In 1996, Becker and Gerhart noted that much of the work on human resources (HR) and performance had traditionally been conducted at the individual level of analysis. However, in the 1990s, empirical research on HR and performance increasingly moved to the plant/unit and firm level of analysis with a new emphasis on understanding how HR practices influence business performance at these higher levels. In the present article, I describe the empirical findings of this evolving literature, unanswered questions, and an approach to the issue that differs from what has come to be the typical approach over the past 10 years or so.

Suggested Citation

  • Barry Gerhart, 2005. "Human Resources and Business Performance: Findings, Unanswered Questions, and an Alternative Approach," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 16(2), pages 174-185.
    • Handle: RePEc:nms:mamere:1861-9908_mrev_2005_02_gerhart
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    File URL: https://www.nomos-elibrary.de/10.5771/0935-9915-2005-2-174
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Kochan, Thomas A., 1996. "What works at work : overview and assessment," Working papers 3886-96., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bruce E. Kaufman & Benjamin I. Miller, 2011. "The Firm's Choice of Hrm Practices: Economics Meets Strategic Human Resource Management," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 64(3), pages 526-557, April.
    2. Katou Anastasia, 2008. "Innovation and Human Resource Management: the Greek Experience," Organizacija, Sciendo, vol. 41(3), pages 81-90, May.
    3. AKM Mominul Haque, 2011. "A Comparative Study of Strategic Human Resource Management Practices by Linking People with Strategic Needs of Business," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 2(5), pages 191-198.
    4. A.K.M. Mominul Haque Talukder, 2013. "Human Resource Consultancy and Organizational Growth: Exploring the Relationship," KASBIT Business Journals (KBJ), Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari Institute of Technology (KASBIT), vol. 6, pages 65-73, December.
    5. Huirong Xie & Teck Chai Lau, 2023. "Evidence-Based Green Human Resource Management: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-23, July.
    6. Minbaeva, Dana B., 2008. "HRM practices affecting extrinsic and intrinsic motivation of knowledge receivers and their effect on intra-MNC knowledge transfer," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(6), pages 703-713, December.
    7. Benameur Dahinine & Abderrazak Laghouag & Wassila Bensahel & Majed Alsolami & Tarek Guendouz, 2024. "Modelling the Combined Effect of Green Leadership and Human Resource Management in Moving to Green Supply Chain Performance Enhancement in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-18, May.
    8. Miguel A. Hernandez, 2019. "Unveiling International New Ventures’ Success: Employee’s Entrepreneurial Behavior," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-32, August.
    9. Sinikka Vanhala & Kaija Tuomi, 2006. "HRM, Company Performance and Employee Well-being," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 17(3), pages 241-255.
    10. Li-Ren Yang & Jieh-Haur Chen & Kun-Shan Wu & Di-Man Huang & Cheng-Hao Cheng, 2015. "A framework for evaluating relationship among HRM practices, project success and organizational benefit," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 49(3), pages 1039-1061, May.
    11. Ibrahim A. Elshaer & Alaa M. S. Azazz & Sameh Fayyad, 2023. "Green Human Resources and Innovative Performance in Small- and Medium-Sized Tourism Enterprises: A Mediation Model Using PLS-SEM Data Analysis," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-17, January.
    12. Michaelis, Björn & Wagner, Joachim D. & Schweizer, Lars, 2015. "Knowledge as a key in the relationship between high-performance work systems and workforce productivity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(5), pages 1035-1044.
    13. Badrinarayan Srirangam Ramaprasad & Sethumadhavan Lakshminarayanan & Yogesh P. Pai, 2021. "Exploring the Mediating Role of Employee Attitudes in the Relationship between High-Performance Work Systems and Turnover Intention among IT Professionals in India: A Serial Mediation Approach," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 22(1), pages 197-218, February.
    14. Singh, Sanjay Kumar & Giudice, Manlio Del & Chierici, Roberto & Graziano, Domenico, 2020. "Green innovation and environmental performance: The role of green transformational leadership and green human resource management," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    15. Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih & Ahmed Hasanein & Ibrahim Elshaer, 2020. "Influences of Green Human Resources Management on Environmental Performance in Small Lodging Enterprises: The Role of Green Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-19, December.
    16. Sunil Ranjhan & Eeman Mallick (Basu), 2018. "Organizational Citizenship Behaviour Creating Competitive Advantage in Indian Health Care Industry: The Moderating Role of HR Practices," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 19(5), pages 1275-1289, October.
    17. Eeman Mallick & Rabindra Kumar Pradhan & Hare Ram Tewari & Lalatendu Kesari Jena, 2014. "Organizational Citizenship Behaviour, Job Performance and HR Practices: A Relational Perspective," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 39(4), pages 449-460, November.
    18. Hafinas Halid & Daisy Mui Hung Kee & Noor Fareen Abdul Rahim, 2024. "Perceived Human Resource Management Practices and Intention to Stay in Private Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia: The Role of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 25(1), pages 162-179, February.
    19. Able Mwambela, 2024. "Strategic Human Resource Management and Organizational Performance: An Investigation of Profit-Oriented Companies in Zambia," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(1), pages 976-992, January.
    20. Alfes, Kerstin & Shantz, Amanda & Truss, Catherine & Soane, Emma, 2013. "The link between perceived human resource management practices, engagement and employee behaviour: a moderated mediation model," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 42345, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    21. Naveed Anwer & Farooq Ahmad & Maqsood Ahmad & Saqib Jamil, 2021. "Review On Leader Member Exchange (Lmx), Perceived Hrm Practices And Work Behaviors: A Nexus For Performance €“ Addressing The Missing Links In The Context Of Developing World," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 10(3), pages 216-225.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human Resources; Performance; Employee Relations; Employee Attitudes; Methodology;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • J53 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Labor-Management Relations; Industrial Jurisprudence
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General

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