Strategic HRM for Student Success: Reviewing the Role of High-Performance Work Systems in Universities and Colleges

Abstract

This systematic review explores the strategic integration of High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) within higher education institutions (HEIs), focusing on their potential to enhance faculty performance and foster student success. Amid evolving global educational landscapes and policy reforms such as India’s NEP 2020, the alignment of institutional human resource practices with academic outcomes has become critical. This review critically examines how bundled HRM practices—selective staffing, developmental appraisal, participative governance, and strategic transparency—are being operationalized to improve teaching capacity, research productivity, digital readiness, and inclusivity.

Drawing on 46 rigorously selected empirical and conceptual studies, the review adopts a PRISMA-guided systematic methodology and employs thematic synthesis to assess HPWS applications across diverse geographical, economic, and policy contexts. It anchors its analysis in established conceptual frameworks, including the Ability–Motivation–Opportunity (AMO) model and sustainable HRM paradigms.

Key insights indicate that HPWS significantly mediates institutional capabilities that directly impact student retention, equity, and employability. The findings highlight both the promise and limitations of HPWS in varied HEI typologies—public vs. private, Global North vs. Global South—and underscore critical gaps in theory, longitudinal evidence, and contextual adaptation. The review concludes by advocating for the integration of HPWS indicators in accreditation systems, the use of mixed-method designs, and the development of localized, policy-aligned HRM frameworks. These recommendations aim to inform institutional leaders, HR policymakers, and educational researchers seeking equity-driven, evidence-based pathways to academic excellence.