Understanding Performance Appraisal: Social, Organizational, and Goal-Based Perspectives

by Kevin R. Murphy, Jeanette N. Cleveland

A social-psychological model of organizational appraisal processes which emphasizes the goals pursued by raters, ratees and other users of performance appraisal is described in this book. The authors suggest ways in which this goal-oriented perspective might be applied in developing, implementing and evaluating performance appraisal systems. The model emphasizes the context in which appraisal occurs and takes as a starting point the assumption that many of the apparent shortcomings of performance are, in fact, sensible adaptations to the various requirements, pressures and demands of that context.

Genres: Business

502 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 1995

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for exercising those "social measurement" muscles. I went back and forth between agreeing with him and disagreeing with him. Nevertheless, the premise that performance appraisal should be judged based on whether or not and how it helps staff and organizations meet their goals (as opposed to strict accuracy) is compelling. This is an older book; there is a general consensus in social science circles that validity depends entirely upon context and intended use. However, his premise actually takes it a step further by extending this principle to individual raters.

[Nupur Vanderlick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dense and informative. Looks at PA as a social-psychological process emphasizing the communications perspective of PA rather than its much discussed psychometric issues.

[Raad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read if you are looking to learn about PA from the I/O Psychology perspective.