This study analyzes the relationship between innovative human resource management systems (IHRMS), information technology use, and firm performance in Catalan firms in Spain. The researchers surveyed 1,518 firms and used statistical analysis to group HRM practices and identify factors that determine adoption of IHRMS. They found that about one-third of firms have adopted innovative systems involving practices like flexible compensation, training, skills development, and management competencies. Firms using IHRMS tended to be more international, innovative, quality-focused, and have new work organizations and advanced IT. Internationalization, industry sector, group membership, IT use, innovation networks, supplier internationalization, decentralization, and efficiency increased the likelihood of IHRMS adoption.

7. 3. Model

8. 4. Methodology Methodology : Sample firms were contacted through telephone calls to confirm a contact person in each firm, followed by survey questionnaires (128 items) that were answered by managers by means of a face-to-face, hour-long interview. Total Staff members: 2,038 firms Sample: 1,518 cases (exclusion 520 cases with contradictory or non-plausible answers) Confidence interval: 95.5% p=q=0.5 Sampling error: +/- 2.2 percent Period: five months (January and May 2003) Statistical Method: 1)Factor analysis: Principal components analysis, Cluster analysis: Non hierarchical cluster analysis of K-means and Association analysis. 2)Estimation: Binomial Logit Model

9. 4. Methodology

10. 5. Results Practices of HRM adopted by frequency

11. 5. Results Varimax Rotated Factor Matrix of HRM practices

12. 5. Results IHRMS in Catalan firms. Results of k-means analysis

15. 5. Results Determinants for the adoption of innovative HRM system (IHRMS)