"Best Practices…In Spite of Performance" Just a Matter of Imitation?

34 Pages Posted: 19 Jan 2005

See all articles by Jaap Paauwe

Jaap Paauwe

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Economics (ESE); Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM)

Paul Boselie

Tilburg University - Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences; Utrecht University of Applied Sciences

Date Written: January 2004 1,

Abstract

In this paper the focus is on how organizations select, adapt and retain best practices in HRM. Based on recent developments in two streams of theoretical thinking, i.e new institutionalism and strategic management (especially co-evolution and absorptive capacity), this paper contrasts economic rationality with normative rationality in the selection, adaptation and retention process. In this way we are able to construct the life cycle of a HRM best practice, the way in which companies differ in their speed of selection and adoption of best practices, and the consequences this has for whether or not being able to achieve a competitive advantage. After presenting and describing our framework for the adoption and life cycle of best practices in the field of HRM, a range of hypotheses is presented to be tested for in follow-up research.

Keywords: HRM, best practices, adoption

JEL Classification: M, M10, M12, L2

Suggested Citation

Paauwe, Jaap and Boselie, Paul, "Best Practices…In Spite of Performance" Just a Matter of Imitation? (January 2004 1,). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=650834

Jaap Paauwe (Contact Author)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) ( email )

P.O. Box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam, NL 3062 PA
Netherlands
+31 10 408 2542 (Phone)
+31 10 408 1366 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.few.eur.nl/few/people/paauwe/publications.htm

Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM)

P.O. Box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands

Paul Boselie

Tilburg University - Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences ( email )

P.O. Box 90153
Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands

Utrecht University of Applied Sciences ( email )

Utrecht
Netherlands

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