Organization size, flexible work practices, and training

The purpose of this study is to explore the
relationships among the use of flexible work
practices, the nature of training, and
organizational performance across organizations of
differing sizes. Organizations have adopted
management approaches, variously called high
performance or flexible work practices, to gain an
increased capacity to achieve new and more
challenging goals. Training is critical to the
implementation of these management approaches. How
training is used in organizations depends on the
nature and context of the organization. However,
little research attention has focused on flexible
work practices and training in small and medium-
sized enterprises despite their vital economic role
collectively. This study generates new knowledge
regarding the behaviors of organizations with
respect to flexible work practices and training,
gains new insights into the behaviors of small and
medium-sized enterprises, and contributes to the
understanding of the relationship between flexible
work practices and training.

Autorentext

David A. Boulay, Ph.D., is Deputy Director for the Industrial Extension Service at North Carolina State University. Dr. Boulay's research interests include competence, high performance work practices and their relationship with organizational change, and human resource development in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Klappentext

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships among the use of flexible work practices, the nature of training, and organizational performance across organizations of differing sizes. Organizations have adopted management approaches, variously called high performance or flexible work practices, to gain an increased capacity to achieve new and more challenging goals. Training is critical to the implementation of these management approaches. How training is used in organizations depends on the nature and context of the organization. However, little research attention has focused on flexible work practices and training in small and medium-sized enterprises despite their vital economic role collectively. This study generates new knowledge regarding the behaviors of organizations with respect to flexible work practices and training, gains new insights into the behaviors of small and medium-sized enterprises, and contributes to the understanding of the relationship between flexible work practices and training.