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High-performance work system (HPWS) is considered a solid predictor of both organizational and individual outcomes. The current study examines the impact of employees' perception of HPWS and supervisor-rated employee creativity (EC). Critical reflection is hypothesized as a mediator of the above relationship. Human resource management (HRM) attribution moderates the indirect relationship between HPWS and EC and completes a moderated mediation model.

A quantitative research design is adopted with data collected from 531 employees and their direct supervisors from 12 firms in Vietnam. Partial least square structural equation modelling is used to test the hypotheses.

Employees' perception of HPWS is significantly associated with supervisor-rated creativity. Critical reflection has been found to partially mediate the above relationship. In addition, employees' exploiting attribution of HPWS intensifies the positive relationship between HPWS and critical reflection.

The research suggests that HPWS can be viewed from both the bright and dark sides. The resource offered by HPWS goes hand in hand with pressure from high-performance expectations. Employees may need to engage in a resource investment decision to avoid net resource loss. In addition, attention should be paid to employees' perception of the justification for HPWS implementation.

This study offers an alternative way to explain the association between HPWS and employee creativity. Based on the Conservation of Resource Theory, employee creativity is viewed as a stress coping strategy with HPWS conceptualized as a stressor. In addition, the mediating role of critical reflection represents a novelty. Furthermore, the role of HRM attributions is explained.