The Effects of Innovative Work Practices on Firm and Worker Outcomes: Evidence from Lithuania
International Perspectives on Participation
ISBN: 978-1-78441-169-5
Publication date: 21 November 2014
Abstract
While innovative work practices (IWPs), such as self-directed teams and performance related pay, have become commonplace in firms around the world, little is known about their nature and effects in emerging market countries. This study uses new data collected from face-to-face interviews with large samples of workers from two manufacturing firms in Lithuania in 2005 mainly to investigate hypotheses concerning the effects of IWPs on firm and worker outcomes. In these cases we find: (i) the range of IWPs is limited though particular IWPs, notably self-directed teams, are strongly evident; (ii) in view of the historical legacy, the incidence of some outcomes, notably monitoring, was surprisingly high; (iii) typically self-directed teams positively impact worker outcomes, notably job satisfaction and employee involvement, though effects on monitoring and effort are less frequent; (iv) typically equity ownership and bonuses do not affect worker outcomes, though positive impacts on effort and peer monitoring sometimes are found; (v) the evidence for complementary effects of teams and performance pay or financial participation is very weak. In the main, these findings do not support the mutual gains theory that IWPs positively impact both firm and worker outcomes.
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Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments
The research reported in this chapter was supported by a grant from NCEEER and was written while Jones was a recipient of a Fellowship from the Foundation for Finnish Education for which he is grateful. The author wishes to thank the many individuals at the case who gave generously of their time especially Dmitrij Slepniov and research assistance by Ieva Pernavaite, Linas Paulikas, Kasparas Zajankauskas, Kazimieras Nika and Tadas Gintautas.
Citation
Jones, D.C., Gelbuda, M. and Walker, K. (2014), "The Effects of Innovative Work Practices on Firm and Worker Outcomes: Evidence from Lithuania", International Perspectives on Participation (Advances in the Economic Analysis of Participatory & Labor-Managed Firms, Vol. 15), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 121-150. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0885-333920140000015013
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © Year, 2014 Emerald Group Publishing Limited