Chapter 16: Creating High-Performance Work Systems

Exercise 16-1

Every year Maclean’s Magazine writes about Canada's Top 100 Employers. Read the article at http://www.canadastop100.com and develop a list of the qualities that have led to these companies being recognized as among the best in Canada.

Exercise 16-2

Are you working for an organization that has high performance work systems in place? Print and complete the survey at http://www.quality.nist.gov/PDF_files/ProgressAL.pdf

1. From the survey, how does your organization rate?
2. How does it rate against each of the fundamental principles of shared information, knowledge development and egalitarianism?
3. If you had to make a recommendation to your organization on how to move towards having high performance work systems, where do you think they need to start?

This survey is found on the Baldrige National Quality Program site. The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award was established in 1987 to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. businesses. The award promotes excellence in organizational performance, recognizes the quality and performance achievements of U.S. organizations, and publicizes successful performance strategies. The award may be presented to five types of organizations: manufacturers, service companies, small businesses, education organizations and health care organizations.

The 2006 winners of this award are listed on the Baldrige National Quality Program site located at http://www.quality.nist.gov/