International approaches to high performance working

This report was commissioned in response to research evidence showing a positive association between high performance working (HPW) and both skills utilisation and performance at an organisational level. The UK Commission’s previous work on HPW shows that the prevalence of HPW is both low and static in the UK, and the present study is part of a systematic attempt to uncover the means by which broader application of HPW might be encouraged in the UK. Specifically, in order to learn from experience internationally, the research sought to (1) develop understanding of how HPW is interpreted in different national contexts; (2) identify the different methods utilised to encourage and support up-take of HPW; and (3) utilise the understanding of conditions that give rise to HPW being prevalent in some national contexts as a basis for policy learning for the UK.