Title: High-performance work systems and employee well-being: a moderated model of union involvement

Authors: Senthil K. Nathan; Sumathi Ananchaperumalpillai; Tharun S. Raaghav

Addresses: Faculty of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University), Trichy, Tamil Nadu, 621105, India ' Department of Mathematics, Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, 620002, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Karpagam University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Employee well-being is proposed as a crucial factor that might aid in explaining the connection between HRM and performance as part of the expanding field of employee-centred HRM research. Enhancing employee well-being is a crucial decision that businesses must make to increase competitive benefits and corporate success. This study aims to investigate how high-performance work systems (HPWS) affect employees' well-being (EWB) within an organisation. The study looks at how union involvement affects HPWS and employees' well-being. A total of 452 respondents completed an online survey that was sent to 600 employees in unionised organisations in the manufacturing and service industries. Using the structural equation modelling (SEM) approach, the hypotheses are evaluated. The study results indicate that HPWS has a noteworthy positive influence on EWB, enhancing job design, training and development, and employment security. Union involvement positively moderates the association between HPWS and EWB. The results of the investigation display that this research adds to the body of current knowledge in HPWS by developing a sound empirical inquiry. Additionally, the study offers a fresh viewpoint on how to enhance employee well-being in organisations.

Keywords: high-performance work systems; employee well-being; EWB; union involvement; human resource management; HRM; manufacturing and service sectors; structural equation modelling; SEM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPIM.2026.155164

International Journal of Business Process Integration and Management, 2026 Vol.13 No.2, pp.100 - 114

Received: 05 Aug 2025
Accepted: 11 Nov 2025
Published online: 28 Jul 2026 *

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