Digital Well-Being Work Systems: A Narrative Review On Innovating High-Performance Hrm For Gen Z

Abstract

The literature on High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) confirms its drive for engagement, innovation, and performance but it also reveals the dark side of work intensification, stress, and burnout. Meanwhile, digital well-being research shows that technostress, hyperconnectivity, and digital fatigue damage well-being and productivity, especially in Generation Z. By examining 22 articles (20 core studies + 2 scale instruments), this article synthesizes the practice of HPWS as a performance driver and the mechanism of digital well-being as a protective lens, then maps the two through cross-mapping. The results of the integration result in six dimensions of Digital Well-Being Work Systems (DWWS): (1) Digitalized Training & Career Development, (2) Responsible Digital Flexibility, (3) Empowerment with Digital Mindfulness, (4) Reward for Healthy Digital Behaviour, (5) Safe-by-Design Performance Management, and (6) Inclusive & Ethical Digital Climate. This framework projects dual outcomes: sustainable performance and employee digital well-being. DWWS's theoretical contribution is to expand HPWS and enrich Sustainable HRM with a digital dimension that has been missed; Its practical contribution provides human-cantered HRM policy guidelines for the Gen Z workforce.