Exploring the relationship between employee well-being and high-performance work systems (HPWS) in Italian SMEs

This article examines the impact of high-performance work systems (HPWS) on employee well-being in small and medium-sized Italian companies. The survey was conducted with 321 employees of enterprises characterized by the same type of production system and competitive dynamics. This study aimed to explore the effect of HPWS bundle practices on work-related well-being dimensions such as work engagement, emotional exhaustion, and employee satisfaction. The results indicate that HPWS bundle practices have a strong influence on job satisfaction and work engagement but have no effect on emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, the perception of the employee-employer relationship moderates several relationships under consideration. Policymakers should consider the employee-employer relationship as a crucial factor in enhancing the effectiveness of HPWS.