Development and validation of an instrument measuring the strength of the human resource management system

Jorge Gomes, Joaquim Coelho (), Anabela Correia () and Rita Cunha ()
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Joaquim Coelho: ISPA, Postal: ISPA, Rua Jardim do Tabaco, 34, 1149 - 041 Lisboa, Portugal
Anabela Correia: Polytechnic Institute of Setubal, Postal: Polytechnic Institute of Setubal (IPS), Largo Defensores da República 1, 2910 - 470 Setúbal, Portugal,, http://www.ips.pt/ips_si/web_page.inicial
Rita Cunha: New University of Lisbon (UNL), Postal: UNL - New University of Lisbon, Avenida de Berna, 26-C, 1069-061 Lisboa, Portugal

No 2010-10, Spatial and Organizational Dynamics Discussion Papers from CIEO-Research Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics, University of Algarve

Abstract: Notwithstanding the theoretical and empirical support for the human resource managementorganisational performance connection, authors still do not know how this association works. Bowen and Ostroff (2004) introduced the concept of the strength of the human resource system. In such systems, messages regarding what is appropriate behaviour are sent to employees in an unambiguous and consensual way. Human resource strength affects the way people interpret their environment (situation strength): strong human resource management leads to stronger situations, whereas weak human resource management leads to weaker situations. This research presents an instrument aimed at measuring the concept of strength; furthermore, it assesses Bowen and Ostroff’s (2004) model. Data was collected via questionnaires in six companies, from two distinct studies. Study 1 is based on 90 questionnaires from five companies; results from this study allowed us to improve the quality of the instrument developed, which in turn was used in a second study, carried out in a single company (88 valid questionnaires). Overall, results show good reliability estimates of the new instrument, as well as a partial confirmation of Bowen and Ostroff ’s (2004) model. Explanations for these mixed results are presented and discussed. These explanations may be related to the research design itself, but they may also be due to unsatisfactory or inadequate definition in some of the elements of Bowen and Ostroff’s model. Implications for future research are examined

Keywords: human resource management; instrument development; strength (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 18 pages
Date: 2010-12-30
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cis
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ris:cieodp:2010_010

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