Linking High-Performance Human Resource Management Practices to Employee Readiness for Change: The Roles of Job Satisfaction and Affective Commitment — A Systematic Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59261/jbt.v7i2.665Keywords:
affective commitment, high-performance human resource management practices, high-performance work systems, job satisfaction, mediation, Organisational Change ManagementAbstract
Background: High-performance human resource management practices (HPHRMPs), also known as high-performance work systems (HPWSs), have been extensively studied as strategic human resource management configurations that improve organizational performance. However, their role in facilitating employee readiness for change, especially through attitudinal mediators, has not been systematically explored.
Objective: This systematic literature review integrates empirical evidence on the relationship between HPHRMPs/HPWSs and employee readiness for change, with particular emphasis on the mediating roles of job satisfaction and affective commitment.
Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search of the Scopus database identified 210 records across five targeted searches. After removing 21 duplicates, 189 records were screened based on titles and abstracts, and 38 articles were selected for full-text review. Thirty-five studies met all eligibility criteria and were included in the final narrative synthesis.
Results: Three main pathways were identified: (1) HPHRMPs/HPWSs had a direct positive effect on readiness for change; (2) indirect effects occurred through job satisfaction; and (3) indirect effects were mediated through affective commitment. HPHRMPs/HPWSs practices, particularly training and development, employee involvement, and selective staffing, consistently foster positive employee attitudes and motivate employees to embrace organizational change.
Conclusion: HPHRMPs/HPWSs enhance readiness for change through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Job satisfaction acts as an emotional bridge, while affective commitment provides a deeper psychological attachment that sustains readiness for change over time. Organizations seeking to manage change effectively should invest in a comprehensive HPHRMPs/HPWSs bundle as a proactive strategy for developing change-ready talent.
References
Adnan, N. I., Kamil, B. A. M., & Hasnan, N. (2024). Delving the Power of Mindfulness: Unveiling a Conceptual Model for Enhancing Employee Readiness for Change Initiatives. UCJC Business and Society Review, 21(82), 122–163. https://doi.org/10.3232/UBR.2024.V21.N3.03
Allen, N. J., & Meyer, J. P. (1993). Organizational commitment: Evidence of career stage effects? Journal of Business Research, 26(1), 49–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-2963(93)90042-N
Alqudah, I. H. A., Carballo-Penela, A., & Ruzo-Sanmartín, E. (2022). High-performance human resource management practices and readiness for change: An integrative model including affective commitment, employees’ performance, and the moderating role of hierarchy culture. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 28(1), 100177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2021.100177
Armenakis, A. A., & Harris, S. G. (2002). Crafting a change message to create transformational readiness. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 15(2), 169–183. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534810210423080
Armenakis, A. A., Harris, S. G., & Mossholder, K. W. (1993). Creating readiness for organizational change. Human Relations, 46(6), 681. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/creating-readiness-organizational-change/docview/231489069/se-2?accountid=17242
Arthur, J. B. (1994). Effects of Human Resource System on Manufactureing Performance and Turnover. Academy of Management Journal, 37(3), 670–687.
Assanti, S., & Giauque, D. (2026). Building Loyalty Among Public Employees: The Impact of High-Performance Work Practices. Review of Public Personnel Administration. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X261416153
Azra, M. V, Etikariena, A., & Haryoko, F. F. (2018). The effect of job satisfaction in employee ’ s readiness for change. In Diversity in Unity: Perspectives from Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (1st Ed., pp. 503–510). Taylor & Francis Group.
Benítez-Núñez, C., Dorta-Afonso, D., & de Saá-Pérez, P. (2024). High-performance work systems and employees’ outcomes in challenging contexts: the role of hindrance stressors. Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management, 33(6), 807–830. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2024.2305638
Bouckenooghe, D., Devos, G., & Van den Broeck, H. (2009). Organizational Change Questionnaire – Climate of Change , Processes , and Readiness : Development of a New Instrument. The Journal of Psychology, 143(6), 559–599. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980903218216
Boxall, P., Purcell, J., & Wright, P. (2007). The Oxford Handbook of Human Resource Management. Oxford University Press.
Chang, P.-C., Wu, T., & Liu, C.-L. (2018). Do high-performance work systems really satisfy employees? Evidence from China. Sustainability (Switzerland), 10(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103360
Chen, S., Westman, M., & Hobfoll, S. E. (2015). The Commerce and Crossover of Resources: Resource Conservation in the Service of Resilience. Stress and Health, 31(2), 95–105. https://doi.org/10.1002/SMI.2574
Chilenski, S. M., Olson, J. R., Schulte, J. A., Perkins, D. F., & Spoth, R. (2015). A multi-level examination of how the organizational context relates to readiness to implement prevention and evidence-based programming in community settings. Evaluation and Program Planning, 48, 63–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.10.004
Choudhary, P., Kunte, M., & Sharma, V. (2025). Exploring employee happiness in high-performance work environments: with a focus on work intensification. International Journal of Organizational Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-01-2025-5134
Christou, E., & Piller, F. (2024). Organizational transformation: A management research perspective. Transformation towards sustainability: A novel interdisciplinary framework from RWTH Aachen University, 303-330.
Cizrelioǧullari, M. N., & Babayiǧit, M. V. (2022). Effects of High-Performance Work System on Job Satisfaction: The Mediating Role of Psychological Capital in the Hotel Employees of North Cyprus. Journal of Tourism and Services, 13(24), 43–170. https://doi.org/10.29036/jots.v13i24.284
Claiborne, N., Auerbach, C., Lawrence, C., & Schudrich, W. Z. (2013). Organizational change: The role of climate and job satisfaction in child welfare workers’ perception of readiness for change. Children and Youth Services Review, 35(12), 2013–2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.09.012
Cropanzano, R., & Mitchell, M. S. (2005). Social Exchange Theory: An Interdisciplinary Review. Journal of Management, 31(6), 874–900.
Delery, J. E., & Roumpi, D. (2017). Strategic human resource management, human capital and competitive advantage: is the field going in circles? Human Resource Management Journal, 27(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12137
Dorta-Afonso, D., Cuéllar-Molina, D., Rodríguez-Robaina, C., & De Saá-Pérez, P. (2025). Servant leadership and HPWS for work-life balance and job satisfaction in the hotel industry: perspectives from conservation of resources theory. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 8(5), 2011–2030. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-06-2024-0631
Faisal, M., Muchiri, M. K., & Stanton, P. (2025). Exploring the nexus of high-performance work systems and ethical leadership on employee attitudes and behaviours: case study evidence from healthcare. Personnel Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-02-2024-0136
Fatima, M., Riaz, A., Mahmood, H. Z., & Usman, M. (2020). Linking employees’ change-related self-efficacy, change readiness and commitment to change. Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences, 14(1), 334–367. https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85084262037?origin=resultslist
García-Chas, R., Neira-Fontela, E., & Castro-Casal, C. (2014). High-performance work system and intention to leave: A mediation model. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 25(3), 367–389. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2013.789441
Haffar, M., Al-Hyari, K. A., Djebarni, R., Al-Shamali, A., Abdul Aziz, M., & Al-Shamali, S. (2022). The myth of a direct relationship between organizational culture and TQM: propositions and challenges for research. TQM Journal, 34(5), 1395–1415. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-06-2020-0138
Harrison, R., Chauhan, A., Le-Dao, H., Minbashian, A., Walpola, R., Fischer, S., & Schwarz, G. (2022). Achieving change readiness for health service innovations. Nursing Forum, 57, 603–607. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12713
Herscovitch, L., & Meyer, J. P. (2002). Commitment to Organizational Change: Extension of a Three-Component Model. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(3), 474–487. https://doi.org/10.1037//0021-9010.87.3.474
Huselid, M. A. (1995). The Impact of Human Resource Management Practices on Turnover, Productivity, and Corporate Financial Performance. Academy of Management Journal, 38(3), 635–672.
Indriastuti, D., & Fachrunnisa, O. (2021). Achieving Organizational Change : Preparing Individuals to Change and their Impact on Performance. Public Organization Review, 21, 377–391.
Ivancevich, J. M., Gibson, J. L., & Konopaske, R. (2011). Organizations: Behavior, Structure, Processes (14th Editi). McGraw-Hill Education. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=0ExYcgAACAAJ
Jones, R. A., Jimmieson, N. L., & Griffiths, A. (2005). The Impact of Organizational Culture and Reshaping Capabilities on Change Implementation Success : The Mediating Role of Readiness for Change. Journal of Management Studies, 42(2), 361–385.
Kim, M., Jeong, I., & Bae, J. (2024). In the eye of the beholder: the role of self-perceived status in the relationship between high-performance work systems and affective commitment. Personnel Review, 53(2), 621–640. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-05-2022-0343
Lu, K., & Zhu, J. (2015). High-performance human resource management and firm performance: The mediating role of innovation in China. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 115(2), 353–382.
Ly, N. T., Huong, N. T., Hoa, N. T., Nhat, N. T., & Hue, N. T. (2026). Unlocking the Digital Transformation in Education: The Interplay of Culture, Satisfaction, and Readiness for Change. WSEAS Transactions on Business and Economics, 23, 113–122. https://doi.org/10.37394/23207.2026.23.10
Mansour, A., Rowlands, H., Al-Gasawneh, J. A., Nusairat, N. M., Al-Qudah, S., Shrouf, H., & Akhorshaideh, A. H. (2022). Perceived benefits of training, individual readiness for change, and affective organizational commitment among employees of national jordanian banks. Cogent Business and Management, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1966866
Mao, N., Song, H., & Han, Y. (2013). High-performance work systems and influence processes on employees’ attitudes. International Journal of Manpower, 34(7), 736–752. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-07-2013-0157
Mathur, M., Kapoor, T., & Swami, S. (2023). Readiness for organizational change : the effects of individual and organizational factors. Journal of Advances in Management Research, 20(4), 730–757. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAMR-02-2023-0032
Meyer, J., & Allen, N. (1997). Commitment in the Workplace: Theory, Research, and Application. SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452231556
Moric Milovanovic, B., Bubas, Z., & Cvjetkovic, M. (2022). Employee Readiness for Organizational Change in the SME Internalization Process: The Case of a Medium-Sized Construction Company. Social Sciences, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11030131
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & PRISMA Group. (2015). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLOS Medicine, 6(7), e1000097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097
Mumtaz, S., Selvarajah, C., & Meyer, D. (2024). How does human relations climate and organizational support affect readiness to change? The mediating role of employee participation and leadership excellence. Global Business and Organizational Excellence, 43(2), 79–91. https://doi.org/10.1002/joe.22223
Narbariya, S., Nayeem, M. A., & Gupta, R. (2022). Does HPWS amplify employees ’ change readiness for digital transformation? A study through the “ work-from-anywhere ” prism. Personnel Review, 51(8), 1948–1966. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-01-2022-0068
Naseer, S., Chughtai, M. S., & Syed, F. (2023). Do high-performance work practices promote an individual’s readiness and commitment to change? The moderating role of adaptive leadership. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 36(6), 899–916. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-02-2023-0036
Nikolova, S., & Tsoni, M. (2025). Job Satisfaction, Lifelong Learning, Perspectives and Readiness for Change among Secondary Education Teachers. Psychological Thought, 18(1), 305–325. https://doi.org/10.37708/psyct.v18i1.1096
Padamata, K., & Vangapandu, R. D. (2024). High-performance work systems and employee attitudes : evidence from Indian healthcare industry. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 73(5), 1609–1640. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-08-2022-0393
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., ... & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. bmj, 372. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Para-González, L., Jiménez-Jiménez, D., & Martínez-Lorente, Á. R. (2019). Do SHRM and HPWS shape employees’ affective commitment and empowerment? Evidence-Based HRM, 7(3), 300–324. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBHRM-01-2019-0004
Pattnaik, S. C., & Sahoo, R. (2021). High-performance Work Practices, Affective Commitment of Employees and Organizational Performance: A Multi-level Modelling Using 2-1-2 Mediation Analysis. Global Business Review, 22(6), 1594–1609. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972150919859106
Rawashdeh, A. M., Hamouche, S., Elayan, M. B., & Shamout, M. D. (2025). High-performance work practices and organizational performance: the mediating role of affective commitment and the moderating role of hierarchy culture in Islamic banks. Journal of Management Development, 44(3), 328–347. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-10-2024-0333
Robbins, S., & Judge, T. (2024). Organizational Behavior. In Pearson (19th Editi). Pearson Education Limited.
Ronda, L., Ollo-López, A., & Goñi-Legaz, S. (2016). Family-friendly practices, high-performance work practices and work–family balance: How do job satisfaction and working hours affect this relationship? Management Research, 14(1), 2–23. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRJIAM-02-2016-0633
Spector, P. E. (2012). Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Research & Practice (6th Editio). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470479216.corpsy0439
Sun, L., Aryee, S., & Law, K. S. (2007). High-Performance Human Resource Practices , Citizenship Behavior, and Organizational Performance: A Relational Perspective. Academy of Management Journal, 50(3), 558–577.
Suseno, Y., Chang, C., Hudik, M., & Fang, E. S. (2022). Beliefs, anxiety and change readiness for Teo artificial intelligence adoption among human resource managers: the moderating role of high-performance work systems. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 33(6), 1209–1236. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2021.1931408
Teo, S. T. T., Bentley, T., & Nguyen, D. (2020). Psychosocial work environment, work engagement, and employee commitment: A moderated, mediation model. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2019.102415
Thien, L. M. (2019). Distributive Leadership Functions, Readiness for Change, and Teachers’ Affective Commitment to Change: A Partial Least Squares Analysis. SAGE Open, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019846209
Turk, N. (2021). Methodology of systematic reviews. Slovenian Medical Journal, 90(August 2021), 432–442.
Waisy, O. H., & Wei, C. C. (2020). Transformational leadership and affective commitment to change: The roles of readiness for change and type of university. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 10(10), 459–482. https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85079657709?origin=resultslist
Wang, T., Olivier, D. F., & Chen, P. (2023). Creating individual and organizational readiness for change: conceptualization of system readiness for change in school education. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 26(6), 1037–1061. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2020.1818131
Weiner, B. J., Amick, H., & Lee, S. D. (2008). Measurement of Organizational Services Research and Other Fields. 65(4), 379–436.
Wu, P., & Chaturvedi, S. (2009). The Role of Procedural Justice and Power Distance in the Relationship Between High Performance Work Systems and Employee Attitudes : A Multilevel Perspective †. Journal of Management, 35(5), 1228–1247. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206308331097
Xian, H., Atkinson, C., & Meng-Lewis, Y. (2019). Guanxi and high performance work systems in China: evidence from a state-owned enterprise. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 30(19), 2685–2704. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2017.1332670
Yang, Y., Wen, B., & Song, Y. (2024). A Moderated Mediation Model on the Relationship Among Public Service Motivation (PSM), Self-Efficacy, Job Satisfaction, and Readiness for Change. Review of Public Personnel Administration. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X241281750
Young, S., Bartram, T., Stanton, P., & Leggat, S. G. (2010). High performance work systems and employee well-being: A two stage study of a rural Australian hospital. Journal of Health, Organisation and Management, 24(2), 182–199. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777261011047345
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Grandis Harlandi Choirul Nisa, Nurul Safitri

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC-BY-SA). that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.


