A multilevel examination of skills‐oriented human resource management and perceived skill utilization during recession: implications for the well‐being of all workers

Okay-Somerville, B. and Scholarios, D. (2019) A multilevel examination of skills‐oriented human resource management and perceived skill utilization during recession: implications for the well‐being of all workers. Human Resource Management, 58(2), pp. 139-154. (doi: 10.1002/hrm.21941)

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Abstract

This article examines whether organizations can enhance employee wellbeing by adopting human resource management (HRM) practices strategically targeted to improve skill development and deployment in a recessionary context. Employee skill utilization is proposed as the mediating mechanism between HRM practice and wellbeing. The role of workplace skill composition is also examined as a boundary condition within which HRM differentially impacts employee outcomes. Using a nationally representative survey of UK workplaces (Workplace Employment Relations Survey 2011) and matched management and employee data, the analysis focused on organizations which had implemented some recessionary action following the 2008-09 global financial and economic crisis. The findings show that human capital enhancing HRM and enriched job design positively influenced both job satisfaction and work-related affective wellbeing through increased employee skill utilization. Organizations with predominantly high-skilled workforces were more likely to adopt these skills-oriented HRM practices. Nevertheless, the effects of HRM on employee outcomes via skill utilization applied across organizations, regardless of workforce skill composition. The findings demonstrate employee skill utilization as a driver of HRM outcomes and the sustainability of ‘best practice’ HRM arguments across all skill levels, even in the face of recession.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Job design, human capital, quality of work life, attitudes, strategic HR, satisfaction.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Scholarios, Prof Dora and Okay-Somerville, Dr Belgin
Authors: Okay-Somerville, B., and Scholarios, D.
Subjects:H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
Research Group:HRM/OB
Journal Name:Human Resource Management
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0090-4848
ISSN (Online):1099-050X
Published Online:02 October 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First Published:First published in Human Resource Management 58(2):139-154
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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