Final answer:
Skill-based pay directly supports the performance-reward linkage in a high-performance work system company by providing higher compensation to employees who acquire more skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within a high-performance work system company, the practice that supports the performance-reward linkage is d. skilled-based pay. This type of pay structure aligns employee compensation directly with the level of skills and competencies they have acquired. As employees enhance their skill set, they become eligible for higher pay, creating a clear connection between performance and reward.
Options such as self-managed teams, empowerment, and selective recruitment, while important within a high-performance work environment, do not directly establish a performance-reward link. Instead, these practices contribute to employee engagement, quality of the hiring process, and the overall working atmosphere, respectively. The closest link to job satisfaction, however, is found in the work content, which can be enriched through higher skills, leading to the meritocratic practice of skilled-based pay.
Skilled-based pay is the practice in a high-performance work system company that supports the performance-reward linkage. Skilled-based pay refers to a pay system where employees are compensated based on their skills and knowledge rather than their job titles or seniority. It rewards employees for acquiring new skills and performing at a high level.
For example, in a company that implements skilled-based pay, employees who acquire additional certifications or demonstrate mastery in certain areas of their job may receive higher pay increases or bonuses as a result.
Other practices mentioned like self-managed teams, empowerment, and selective recruitment may contribute to overall performance and job satisfaction, but they do not specifically address the performance-reward linkage like skilled-based pay does.