New Models of High Performance Work Systems - Equality Authority

esearch approach2.2 SamplingThe survey sample was drawn from “TheIrish Times Top 1000 Companies” 9 database,which is a representative, multi-industryset of Irish-based operations. The sampleincludes both indigenous Irish companies andforeign-owned companies with operationsin Ireland. 1005 companies were contactedto participate in the survey, of which 241companies responded. Data was utilisedfrom the 132 companies that completedboth the HR and GM surveys, resulting inan overall response rate of 13.2%. Thisresponse rate is in line with typical responserates for research of this nature, rangingfrom 6% to 20%.2.3 Profile of RespondentsFor the HRM survey, 70% of respondentswere from the HR function, 20% were othersenior executives (e.g. Managing Director /CEO), and 10% were other executives (e.g.Financial Officer, Operating Officer). Forthe GM survey, 70% of respondents wereSenior Executives (e.g. Managing Director,CEO), while the remaining 30% were otherExecutives (e.g. HR Officer, Financial Officer,Operating Officer).2.4 Industry and Company ProfileThe profile of participating companies iscommensurate with the general profile oflarger industry in Ireland. Figure 2.1 showsapproximately one third are in manufacturing,27% are in service industries (finance,personal, recreational, health and otherservices) while less than 4% of companiesare from energy or water industry. As shownin Figure 2.2, 50% of the companies wereindigenous Irish-owned companies, with theremaining 50% being subsidiaries of foreigncompanies, including USA (25.8%), Germany(6.8%), and UK (5.3%). Unions represented33.7% of participating companies’employees. The average company had beenestablished for about 37 years, and themedian number of employees was 270. Thecompanies were at the higher end of R&Dactivity in Irish terms, with average R&Dinvestment equating to 3.89% of annualturnover.< 17