Following Doctors’ Orders: Organizational Change as a Response to Human Capital Bargaining Power

Jill A. Brown (), Peter T. Gianiodis () and Michael D. Santoro ()
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Jill A. Brown: Bentley University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02452
Peter T. Gianiodis: College of Business and Behavioral Science, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634
Michael D. Santoro: College of Business and Economics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015

Organization Science, 2015, vol. 26, issue 5, 1284-1300

Abstract: Organizational change is facilitated by both internal and external factors, yet little is known about how they might be linked. Through a case study of one hospital’s change from a nonprofit to a nonprofit/for-profit organizational structure, we find that human capital bargaining power is a key mechanism that integrates internal and external drivers of change. However, a paradox surfaces whereby the strength of the bargaining power can force structural changes that may be counterproductive. Our results show that human capital bargaining power is a “double-edged sword,” shifting the governance structure to benefit those with power by providing additional rents, but creating challenges for the ongoing management and retention of such valuable human capital. Our findings have implications for the long-term survival of talent-intensive organizations where human capital bargaining power is strong.

Keywords: organizational change; strategic human capital; structure; governance; bargaining power (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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