Examining the dynamics and impacts of HR Climate and Meaningfulness of Work in public healthcare

Abstract

Human Resource (HR) Climate is emerging as a new explanation for how high performance work systems affect employee and organizational performance. HR Climate is the understanding employees share of the conduct and actions expected in the workplace. This understanding is based on policies and practices, influenced by internal and external contextual factors such as the size of the organization, or level of competitions in the market, as well as cultural norms. Using mixed method case study research, the concept of HR Climate was investigated over 14 months within eight units of a regional health authority in Western Canada. Management interviews collected data on HR policies and outcome metrics while nurses and community health workers were surveyed for their perceptions of HR Climate. Results of the study support the HR Climate argument that a consistent set of practices will result in a positive HR Climate benefiting employees and the organization.