The importance of HR practices and workplace trust in achieving superior performance: A study of public-sector organizations

Abstract

This paper assesses the impact of bundles of HR practices on workplace trust, job satisfaction, commitment, effort and perceived organizational performance. A theoretical model is developed and tested using data collected through a postal survey of UK local government employees. The results support the hypothesis that HR practices are powerful predictors of trust and organizational performance. These findings demonstrate the need for public organizations to re-evaluate their current battery of HR practices in an attempt to improve overall performance.

Keywords:

• Human resource practices
• trust
• employee outcomes
• organizational performance
• public-sector organizations