The relationship between ICTs and HPWPs across occupations

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the specific relationship between information and communication technologies (ICT) and high performance work practices (HPWP) at employee level, both generally and per job category. Design/methodology/approach – Generalized ordered logit and logit models are estimated in relation to data from 31 European countries using the fourth European Working Conditions Survey. Findings – This paper reveals a generally positive association between ICT use and HPWP participation by workers but different results when ICT and HPWP variables are analysed separately. Worker autonomy and participation in autonomous teams are linked to greater ICT use, but the cases of job rotation and task variety are not so clear. Additionally, the authors find how worker occupation conditions such links and note divergences between high and low-skilled positions. Research limitations/implications – The cross-sectional nature of the data does not allow the authors to report causal relations. Practical implications – The results suggest that depending on the work practices to be considered, as well as occupation, some ICTs are more suitable than others. Originality/value – Two main features make this paper novel. First, previous studies on the link between ICT and HPWP made use of indexes, rendering the generation of assorted results impossible. Thus, the authors study how different ICT variables are related to different HPWPs at employee level. Second, the authors test whether employee occupation is a moderator in such relationships.