WORKPLACE INNOVATIONS IN THE REPUBLIC-OF-IRELAND

Many explanations have emerged for Ireland's dramatic economic recover y, but virtually all have taken a macroeconomic perspective. This pape r enriches our understanding of recent progress by presenting original survey data on establishment-level work organisation and human resour ce innovations. The survey indicates that most Irish establishments ar e actively reorganising work arrangements. There is also strong eviden ce to show that they are supporting these developments with complement ary human resource management innovations. A key driving force behind these changes appears to be economic openness; high exporters and bran ches of multinational corporations are more innovative. So too are est ablishments adopting high value added corporate strategies. Under cert ain circumstances, however, unionisation is negatively associated with work systems innovation.