High Performance Work Systems in the

Context of the Garments Sector in

Bangladesh

Dr. Sardana Islam Khan

Laila Zaman

Faculty of Business and Economics

Dept. of Business Administration
East West University

Dear Participant,
You are invited to participate in this study titled High Performance Work Systems in the Context of the
garments Sector in Bangladesh being conducted by researchers from East West University. The
researchers are Dr. Sardana Islam Khan and Laila Zaman
This study involves a questionnaire that has been developed with the support and assistance of your
organizations Human Resource Management team. The study aims to investigate human resource
management practices and the impact on employee well-being, quality of garments sector as well as
performance outcomes. You and your organisation will benefit from this study in a number of ways:

The results will provide an understanding of current human resource management practices and
assist in the development of better people management practices.
The process can also be used to improve the relationship and communication between
management and employees.
The questionnaire can be used as an organisational development tool to improve the well being of
employees and performance outcomes such as the quality of banking service.

We invite you to have your say about your feelings regarding your role, job satisfaction, relationship
with your manager, and commitment to the organisation. Your participation in this study is voluntary.
Your name, the name of your unit and the name of the organisation will remain strictly confidential and
will not appear in any published reports or journal articles. Returning a filled up questionnaire to the
research team shall imply your consent to participate in this project. There will be no further scope to
withdraw as the returned questionnaires are anonymous and therefore not traceable.
This is a key part of our study and will enable us to develop objective and reliable links between
human resource management practices and performance outcomes. Please note that under no
circumstances will management or staff have access and be given information about each functional
units link between HRM responses from the questionnaire and the performance information.
Management will be given a report discussing aggregated results only and will not have access to any
raw data as this is contravenes East West University ethics guidelines. Under no circumstances will
management be able to link functional units performance with the completed questionnaires. The
researchers are not interested in individual responses or particular functional units. The researchers
are only interested in aggregated relationships between key concepts such as management practices,
employee attitudes and their perceived performance outcomes.
We estimate that this survey will take around 20 minutes to complete. Please complete the
questionnaire and return it to:
Dr.Sardana Islam Khan (Assistant Professor) &
Laila Zaman (Sr. Lecturer)
Dept. of Business Administration
East West University
Rampura, Aftabnagar, Dhaka-1212
Please return the questionnaire by ---------------------------- 2014.
Should you wish to ask any questions about the survey or about the research please feel free to
contact Sardana Islam Khan (sardana@ewubd.edu) or Laila Zaman (lz@ewubd.edu)/ 01733503943 at
East West University.

Thank you for your support and assistance.

Dr. Sardana Islam Khan

Laila Zaman

Please respond to each of these statements using the following scale and circle the most relevant number.
SD = Strongly
Disagree
(1)

D = Disagree
(2)

N = Neither Agree nor Disagree

(3)

A = Agree
(4)

SA = Strongly Agree
(5)

Your feelings about your job

Empowerment
SD

SA

The work I do is very important to me

My job activities are personally meaningful to me

The work I do is meaningful to me

I am confident about my ability to do my job

I am self-assured about my capabilities to perform my work activities

I have mastered the skills necessary for my job

I have significant autonomy in determining how I do my job

I can decide on my own how to go about doing my work

I have considerable opportunity for independence and freedom in how I do my job

My impact on what happens in this unit is large

I have a great deal of control over what happens in this unit

I have significant influence over what happens in this unit

Commitment
SD

SA

I would be very happy to spend the rest of my career with this organisation

I enjoy discussing my organisation with people outside it

I really feel that this organisations problems are my own

I think I could become easily attached to another organisation as I am to this one

I do not feel like part of the family at this organisation

I do not feel emotionally attached to this organisation

This organisation has a great deal of personal meaning to me

I do not feel a strong sense of belonging to my organisation

Would you recommend this banks service to your family?

YES

NO

Trust
SD

SA

I feel quite confident that the person to whom I report directly will always treat me fairly

The person to whom I report would never try to gain advantage by deceiving workers

I have complete faith in the integrity of the person to whom I report directly

The person to whom I report directly can be relied on to look after my best interests

I feel a strong sense of loyalty toward the person to whom I report directly

I can rely on the person to whom I report directly to make sensible decisions for the
future
I would support the person to whom I report directly in almost any emergency

I cannot rely on the person to whom I report directly to reward me fairly

I would like to have an external HR expert to take periodical feedback from employees

Your experience working at your bank (please respond to statements in relation youre your
area or unit/division)
Employment Security
Providing employment security to our employees is a priority in this organisation
If an employee were to lose his/her job, this unit would try very hard to find him/her
another position elsewhere in the organisation
Having employment security is important to me

SD

SA

Recruitment and Selection

The recruitment and selection processes in this organization are impartial
Favouritism is not evident in any of the recruitment decisions made in this unit
Interview panels are used during the recruitment and selection process in this unit
This unit does not need to pay more attention to the way it recruits people
All appointments in this unit are based on merit (i.e. the best person for the job is
selected regardless of their personal characteristics
The value and beliefs of this unit are discussed in interviews with potential employees
Only the best people are hired to work in this unit
Employees of this unit are involved in the hiring of their peers

SD

SA

1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

SD

SA

SD

SA

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

SD

SA

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

SD

SA

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5

SD

SA

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

Performance Management
In this unit the performance management policy document is readily available to all staff
In this unit staff performance is reviewed in accordance with agreed annual goals and
organisation-wide requirements and informal feedback is given
In this unit there is a performance management system to ensure that staff are
competent and accountable for their work
In this unit there is a performance management system to ensure that future growth and
development needs are identified
In this unit the statements of accountabilities and responsibilities are regularly reviewed
to ensure that they are relevant to current organisational needs and goals

Equal Employment Opportunities (Gender issues):

This unit supports employees with the balancing of work and family responsibilities
Men and Women have the same employment opportunities in this unit
Men and Women have the same development opportunities in this unit
The late work hour security issues and work hour flexibility of female employees are
considered in this unit
Men and Women have the same promotion opportunities in this unit
EEO is promoted in this unit

Opportunities for promotion

There is little chance to get ahead
Promotions are regular
Promotions are infrequent
There is an opportunity for advancement
I am in a dead end job
There is very good opportunity for advancement
Promotions are very rare
There is a good chance to get ahead
I expect accelerated promotion in case of excellent performance

Training and Development

Providing employees with training beyond that mandated by government regulations is a
priority in this unit
This unit subsidizes assists or reimburses employees for training or courses taken outside of
the workplace
Employees in this unit receive additional compensation for training they get outside the unit
My immediate manager encourages me to extend my abilities
This unit has provided me with training opportunities enabling me to extend my range of skills
and abilities
I get the opportunity to discuss my training and development requirements with my immediate
manager
My work pays for any work-related training and/or development I want to undertake
This unit is committed to the training and development of its employees
My supervisor has explained mystery customer evaluations to me
My supervisor has explained my duties to me

Your say about your job

Personal/intrinsic Reward
My job makes good use of my knowledge and skills
My job requires me to be creative

My job is challenging
The above points are important to me

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

SD

SA

1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5

Job Satisfaction
All in all, I am satisfied with my job
In general, I dont like my job
In general I like working here
I often think of quitting the organisation
I think of searching for another position with another organisation
I often think of leaving the organisation within the next year

Your relationship with your manager

My immediate Manager
SD
D
N
A
is open in his or her communication with subordinates
pursues his or her best interests at the expense of others
acts according to what is right or fair
is not sincere, fraudulent
makes sure that his/her actions are always ethical
speaks and acts truthfully
would be personally inclined to use his/her power to help me solve problems in my work
would bail me out even at his or her own expense, when I really need it
understands my problems and needs
recognises my potential
has enough confidence in me that he/she would defend and justify my decisions if I
were not present
I usually know where I stand with my immediate manager
I have excellent working relationship with my immediate manager

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

SA
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

Information Sharing
The findings from employee surveys are communicated to members of this unit
This unit keeps secrets from the organization
This unit keeps secrets from other units
This unit keeps secrets from employees
Other agencies know more about this unit than our employees themselves do
Information about how well the unit is performing financially is shared with employees
My knowledge about my job is transferred to senior management levels in the
organisation
Uniform massage and methods of sharing information is important to me

SD

SA

1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5

SD

SA

1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5

SD

SA

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

SD

SA

1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5

Access to information
Mission
I have access to information necessary to do my job well
I understand top managements vision of this organisation
I understand the goals of this organisation
The unit takes into account organisational goals

Unit Performance
I have access to information about the performance of my unit
I know how well my unit performs relative to other units
I am encouraged to know the performance of my unit

Participation in Decision-making
I have significant say in decision making at work
I participate in decision making with regard to work-related issues
I have a say in what is, and what is not, part of my job
I participate in decision-making with regard to nature of my work activities
I directly influence decision making in my work unit
I have influence over the division of work over my colleagues and myself

I have the opportunity to discuss work related problems with my immediate manager
I have enough opportunity to examine work related issues with my immediate manager

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

SD

SA

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

SD

SA

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

SD

SA

1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5

SD

SA

My working conditions in this unit are good

My health has not suffered as a result of working in this unit

I always feel safe working in this unit in these conditions
This unit does what it can to ensure the wellbeing of its employees
This organisation spends enough resources on health and safety-related matters
This organisation provides reasonable insurance or other medical assistance if needed
Overall, this organisation is a safe place to work

1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5

Your working environment

Job Quality
Fostering involvement in decision-making at all levels of this unit is important
Many employees in this unit perform simple and repetitive tasks as part of their work
Providing employees with high quality jobs (i.e., jobs that are challenging, fulfilling, etc.)
is a priority in this unit
Employees of this unit are given lots of opportunity to decide how to do their work

Status Distinctions
Formal titles are used within this unit
Employees at different levels within this unit are encouraged to interact
Some members of this unit have privileges that are unavailable to other members (e.g.
reserved parking and dining facilities)
Reducing visible status distinction between positions is desirable to me

Teams
The development of teams is an important element for this unit
This unit supports team development and training
Employee suggestions are implemented in full or in part within this unit
Decision-making by non-managerial employees is encouraged in this unit

Organisational Health and Safety and working conditions

Customer Focus
I am courteous to customer
I am responsive to the needs of customer
I respond to customer call quickly
I provide good quality of information to the customer about our product and service
I communicate with other officials and management about customers specific need
I am generally helpful
I respect my customers privacy during their stay
I respect the cultural and/or religious needs of customer
I treat customers with respect

SD

SA

N/A

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

SD

SA

N/A

1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5

6
6
6
6
6

SD

SA

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

Compliance Issues
Organisation provides adequate information regarding compliance
Organisation provides clear and correct information regarding compliance
Organisation provides required and timely training on compliance
Organisation provides adequate monitoring of compliance
I provide adequate attention to relevant compliance issues

IT and technology support

Organisation provides adequate IT support for my job
Organisation provides required and timely training on new technology
Organisation have competitive technology and IT support compared to other banks

Pay packages
Organisation provides adequate pay packages to employees
Organisation provides equitable pay packages to employees
Organisation provides adequate pay package to me

SD

SA

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

Personal Characteristics
Your Job in Your Organisation
Please respond by ticking only one box to the question unless directed otherwise
(Please name your department/function_____________________________)
1. What occupational group do you belong to?
Management and Administration
Senior Leadership Team (CEO up to department/division/unit/branch managers)
Administration Managers (Finance, Human Resources, Computer Services/IT, Business ManagersMid level
managers)
Administration Professionals (Finance, Human Resources, Computer Services/IT-staff managers)
Administration & Clerical Services (e.g. Teller, Reception, Records, Telephone and Communication, Materials
Management, Administration Officers-Junior managers/Officers)
2. Do you consider your job to be:
Permanent

Fixed term contract

Casual

3. How long have you been working in this organisation? ----------years (nearest to the year)
4. What are your standard working hours per week? ------hours
5. How many people in your immediate work group?

------ People

6. How many people do you manage directly?

None

1 to 3

4 to 7

8 to 12

13 to 20

21 to 50

51 or more

13 to 20

21 to 50

51 or more

7. How many people do you manage indirectly?

None

1 to 3

4 to 7

8 to 12

8. What is your gender?

1 Male
2 Female
9. What is your age? ----------- Years
10. Education: Tick the category that describes the highest level completed or degree received. If currently
enrolled at university, tick the level of highest degree received.
High School Certificate Completed Year 10

High School Certificate Completed Year 12

Certificate/Diploma/TAFE

Bachelors degree

Post Graduate Certificate/ Diploma

Masters degree

PhD

No Qualifications

11 a. According to your own opinion what should be your overall rank in last (most recent) performance
assessment:
Poor

Average

Good

Very good

Excellent

11 b. According to the formal assessment by the bank, what was your overall rank in last (most recent)
performance assessment:
ACTUAL RATING IF AVAILABLE:_____________________
Poor

Average

Good

Very good

Excellent

11 c. What do you think is the reason behind the difference between your assessment and organisational
assessment of your recent performance (Pls. continue in next page if needed):
Thank You