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Different strokes for different folks: Group variation in employee outcomes to human resource management

Kenny Cafferkey (Department of Management, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia)
Tony Dundon (University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland) (Work & Equalities Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Jonathan Winterton (Department of Management, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK)
Keith Townsend (Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia)

Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance

ISSN: 2051-6614

Article publication date: 29 January 2020

Issue publication date: 31 March 2020

328

Abstract

Purpose

Existing research on the relationship between human resources management (HRM) and worker reactions to practices rarely explore differences between occupational classes and their receptiveness to HRM initiatives. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from a single case organization, the authors examine whether HRM practices apply uniformly across distinct occupational groups, and if there are differing impacts by occupational class on commitment, motivation and satisfaction.

Findings

Using occupational identity, the results indicate that different groups of employees have varied perceptions of, and reactions to, the same HRM practices.

Practical implications

The paper adds that human resource practice application may have a tipping point, after which distinct employee groups require different HR architectural configurations.

Social implications

HRM policy and practice may be better tailored to the different specific needs of diverse occupational groups of workers.

Originality/value

The paper argues that existing theory and practice advocating universal or high potential HRM as a route to positive employee outcomes are potentially flawed.

Keywords

Citation

Cafferkey, K., Dundon, T., Winterton, J. and Townsend, K. (2020), "Different strokes for different folks: Group variation in employee outcomes to human resource management", Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, Vol. 7 No. 1, pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOEPP-12-2018-0114

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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