The Effect of Strategic Human Resource Manage- Ment on Organizational Performance: the Mediating Role of High-performance Human Resource Practices

This study investigates the impact of a strategic role for human resource management (HRM) on organizational fi nancial performance. Survey data from 118 fi nancial and manufacturing organizations in Jordan is analyzed to investigate a moderated mediated pathway between a strategic role for HRM and organizational fi nancial performance. The fi rst fi nding, that highperformance human resource practices (HPHRPs) mediate the relationship between the HR strategic role and performance, suggests that the position of the HR professional as a strategic partner enhances the legitimacy of HR initiatives, as well as facilitating the resourcing and support for their implementation. The second fi nding, that line management devolvement moderates the relationship between the HR strategic role and HPHRPs, suggests a trade-off between a strategic and operational focus for HR professionals, and also indicates the value of embedding HR practice execution in operational administration. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.