Adoption of Flexible Human Resource Management Strategies and Innovation Performance of Companies in a Sharing Economy

Rowena  M. Libo-on,; Guoan  Liu,

Adoption of Flexible Human Resource Management Strategies and Innovation Performance of Companies in a Sharing Economy

Discipline: Education

Abstract:

This study investigates how multidimensional flexible human resource management (FHRM) strategies covering functional, skill, and behavioral flexibility, remote work policies, contract-based employment, and performance-based compensation shape innovation performance among 40 sharing-economy enterprises in Jiangxi Province, China, using a quantitative survey–correlational design involving 240 employees aggregated at the firm level. Results demonstrate high adoption of FHRM practices and consistently high technological and management innovation across companies, with ANOVA indicating no significant differences based on size, sector, industry tenure, or leadership support; however, ethnic workforce diversity emerged as a significant differentiator, associated with higher flexibility practices and stronger technological innovation. Correlation analyses confirmed robust positive relationships between all FHRM strategies and innovation outcomes, with extended skill flexibility, remote work, contract-based hiring, and performance-based compensation exerting the most potent effects. These findings highlight the strategic value of multiskilling, flexible employment systems, equitable performance rewards, and workforce diversity in enhancing innovation within sharing-economy firms. The study provides novel empirical evidence on how flexibility-oriented HR configurations drive innovation capability in digitally enabled, rapidly evolving business ecosystems.

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