A needs–supplies fit perspective on employee perceptions of HR practices and their relationship with employee outcomes

This study explores the employees’ views on the effectiveness of HR practices for their job performance, drawing from a needs-supplies (N-S) fit approach. Findings based on 465 employees show a positive association between the N-S fit of present HR practices (i.e., employees perceiving supplied practices as needed) and engagement and proactive behaviour. The N-S fit of absent HR practices (i.e., employees indicating they do not need the non-offered practices) is positively associated with engagement and negatively with proactive behaviour. Additionally, proactive behaviour and engagement are higher when employees experience present practices as effective and absent practices as irrelevant for their functioning. Also, these outcomes are higher when employees experience supplied practices as effective while missing essential practices, than when the supplied practices are ineffective and absent practices are irrelevant. Organizations can use this approach to revisit HR practices that waste organizational resources and introduce HR practices that improve employee functioning.