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.

Technological and organizational capital: Where complementarities exist

“…On the empirical side, our analyses show that most firms tend to employ mixed rather than pure forms of the organizational modes considered, that is, a mixture of specialization and multitasking or some combination of decentralized and centralized decision‐making (see, e.g., Figure ). Recent work also highlights differences in functional flexibility or decision authority at different establishments, hierarchical levels, occupations, or skill groups (see, e.g., Bayo‐Moriones et al, ; Bloom et al, ; Caroli & Van Reenen, ; Garicano & Wu, ; McElheran, ; see Dessein, Garicano, & Gertner, for theoretical work). Hence, it may be empirically valuable to examine the proposed framework on even more granular levels, for example, establishment‐, employee‐, or even task levels.…”

“…3 See Ennen and Richter (2010) and Bayo-Moriones, Calleja-Blanco, and Lera-López (2015) for related assessments of the two strands; also Bloom et al (2014); see Biagi (2013) ;Brynjolfsson & Milgrom (2013) and Draca et al (2009) for overviews. 4 Garicano (2000) and Garicano and Wu (2012) (see Section 4.2 therein for an elaborate discussion) explain that expertise is organized hierarchically if problems are complex.…”

“…The literature on complementarities between technological and organizational capital on firm productivity mainly adopted two different kinds of perspectives as depicted in Figure and discussed above (see, e.g., Bayo‐Moriones, Calleja‐Blanco, & Lera‐López ; Ennen & Richter, for related assessments; also see Bloom et al, ; see Biagi, ; Brynjolfsson & Milgrom, ; Draca et al, for overviews): On the one hand, the literature examined complementarities from an aggregate perspective by using broad conceptual measures for technological and organizational capital. On the other, the literature adopted a disaggregated perspective but focused on single components of organizational and technological capital in isolation.…”

“…See Ennen and Richter () and Bayo‐Moriones, Calleja‐Blanco, and Lera‐López () for related assessments of the two strands; also Bloom et al (); see Biagi (); Brynjolfsson & Milgrom () and Draca et al () for overviews.…”

What Do Unions Do to Work Design? Computer Use, Union Presence, and Tayloristic Jobs in Britain

“…Bresnahan, Brynjolfsson, and Hitt (2002) find a positive link between the diffusion of computer technologies and worker autonomy. Similarly, using the fourth European Working Conditions Survey, Bayo‐Moriones, Calleja‐Blanco, and Lera‐López (2015) showed that computer use is related to job autonomy, irrespective of the respondent’s occupation. Using a sample of Spanish manufacturing plants, Bayo‐Moriones, Billon, and Lera‐López (2017) showed that the association between computer use and job variety is more pronounced in high‐skilled jobs.…”