The impact of high-performance work systems on employee engagement: The moderating role of organizational justice

Abstract

Purpose – This paper investigates the impact that High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) have on Employee Engagement and the moderating effect of Organizational Justice on this relationship. Research methodology – By the usage of a quantitative research method, data gathered from 251 employees of Professional Service firms are analysed with SPSS. Findings – This study found that there is a positive relationship between HPWS and Employee Engagement. It also found that Organizational Justice moderates the relationship between the two. Research limitations – Data was only gathered at the employee level making the interpretation of HPWS to be how employees perceive it. Hence a further study at the firm level as well as cross-sectional analyses will be needed in the future. Practical implications – Management of firms should avoid a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach in the administration of HR policies and should rather encourage tailor-made treatment for individual employees of the firm. Unfairness is encouraged if the firm is after employee engagement. Originality/Value – This study is one of the first to investigate the moderating effect of organizational justice on the relationship between HPWS and employee engagement and the first to advice firm managers to be unfair in their dealings with individual employees.