High performance work practices and collective quits: The moderating role of workplace cynicism

Abstract

HR practices are intended to influence employee and organisational performance, including the level of employee quits. We examine the role of workplace climate as a boundary condition on the HR practices collective quits relationship. We argue that workplace climate affects the receptivity of a workforce to the signals of HR, explaining why the effectiveness of HR practices in managing collective quits varies across organisations. Our focus is on a negative workplace climate (“cynical workplace climate”) where employees are distrustful o f management’s motives. We find that when there is a low cynicism climate, HR practices are more likely to be effective in reducing collective quits. When t..