The Role of Well-being on the Impact of High Performance Work Systems on Physicians’ Job Burnout

This is a theoretical paper which examines the role of physicians' wellbeing in the relationship between utilization of High Performance Work Systems (HPWS) and Physicians' job burnout. The research is aimed at recommending a new model which should be adopted when researchers are identifying gaps that exist in theory and methodology on the link between HPWS and employee outcomes. The paper adopts among other theories a Critical Theory perspective which calls for Axel Honneth's three spheres of relationships in the communication between employees and employers. The paper starts by mapping key concepts on HPWS, physicians' well-being and physicians' burnout. The paper also identifies types of evidence that link HPWS with physicians' well-being and physicians' burnout. It ends with synthesizing existing knowledge on reducing physicians' burnout and improving physicians' well-being. Overall, the study proposes that in order to improve employee wellbeing and get away with the ‘pessimistic perspective' which claims that HR practices are harmful to the employees' well-being, employers are obligated to examine operations which are based on ‘personal relationships' which are either contractual or non-contractual, but still legally binding. In this way, workplaces which are using HPWS will reduce physicians' burnout and improve their wellbeing. Discussion, recommendation for future research and conclusion are made.