Workplace Transformation: Lessons for the Paper Industry

During the past several decades, we have seen organizations in many industries transform work processes and the role of the production worker through the introduction of high performance work systems (HPWS). The HPWS experience in the paper industry has been varied and there are many questions about the appropriate approach to these innovations. In this paper, we will describe a framework for understanding the adoption, implementation, and management of these innovations. We will discuss various organizational, managerial, and workforce issues that are relevant to the decisions to implement workplace innovations. Finally, we will review the research literature on the effectiveness of HPWS practices and explore various contingency factors that may influence their impact.