The Role of Communication in the Acquisition of High Performance Work System Organisations

This study examines the role of communication in the acquisition of a High Performance Work System (HPWS) environment where the employees have greater involvement, responsibility, and autonomy. An Australian telecommunications company that has recently been acquired was used as a case study. Drawing on data collected from both qualitative and quantitative methods confirms that effective and timely communication appears to contribute greatly and independently towards the success of the takeover of an HPWS organisation, by reducing employee stress and maintaining high levels of employee commitment and loyalty. In the acquisition of an HPWS environment, communication flow within the organisation is of paramount importance and considered as a highly critical contributing factor to the post-takeover performance. The results show that there is no evidence of negative impact
of the acquisition; in fact, some positive outcomes emerged.