WHAT WORKS AT WORK - OVERVIEW AND ASSESSMENT

This article discusses why it is difficult to measure the effects of m anagement practices on organizational performance. In spite of these d ifficulties, a collage of evidence suggests that innovative workplace practices can increase performance, primarily through the use of syste ms of related practices that enhance worker participation, make work d esign less rigid, and decentralize managerial tasks, A majority of U.S . businesses have adopted some innovative work practices, However, onl y a small percentage of businesses have adopted a full system of innov ative practices, We outline several constraints on the diffusion of ne w work practices, and suggest directions for future research.