To what extent the adoption of innovative human resource practices is explained by top management support in Chinese SMEs

This study focuses on innovative human resource practices (HRPs) in SMEs. It investigates whether top management support influences the decision to adopt HRPs and the degree of their implementation under the umbrella of management innovation. A quantitative data analysis is utilised in order to explore this topic among 185 SMEs in China by testing research hypotheses stemming from existing literature conclusions. The results demonstrate that there is a positive relationship between top management support and key innovative HRPs. Additionally, top management support significantly contributes to the adoption of extensive training and development followed by pay based on performance appraisal, job security and sophisticated selection. Given that all research hypotheses are statistically confirmed, we conclude that top management support can be an influential factor with regard to the adoption of innovative HRPs in SMEs. Hence, we suggest that the management innovation perspective as a theoretical underpinning is beneficial in determining motivational factors which shape the types of innovative HRPs adopted, and thus have a potential impact on organizational performance.