Relationship between High Performance Work Practices and Job Satisfaction: Mediation Effect of Employee Motivation (Evidence from a Leading Export Apparel Firm in Sri Lanka)

Abstract

The extent literature on high performance work practices in human resource management have mainly focused on the strategic level, with little research exploring employee experienced HPWPs and their relationship with job satisfaction. High performance work practices considered to result in higher levels of employee motivation leading to increased job satisfaction and retention. In consistent with this stream of research, this study aims to find the relationship between high performance work practices and job satisfaction via mediation of employee motivation. For this purpose, data was collected through a five-point Likert scale measurement survey questionnaire from a sample of 108 employees of ABC company, a leading organization in the export apparel industry in Sri Lanka. Correlation coefficient and Sobel test were applied to identify the relationships and mediating effect between variables. The findings reveal a positive relationship between high performance work practices and job satisfaction and moreover that positive relationship is partially mediated by employee motivation. The research contributes to the literature by providing a differentiated insight into the relationship between HPWPs and job satisfaction. Theoretical & managerial implications along with limitations and recommendations for future research have also been discussed in this paper.