1. Introduction
1.1. Performance management and performance appraisal
The definition of the term ‘performance management’ varies in different literatures. As Hutchinson(2013) summed up, combined with Den Harton’s theory(2004), it is a continuous process which links individual and team objectives with organizational goals by measure and improve employee’s skill and performance. According to Armstrong (2012), human resource management aims at making sure the organization has the most talented, skilled and engaged people in order to attain its goals. In this context, performance management is one staple practice helping managers identifying and retaining most competent employees as well as correcting poor performance.
In a typical and effective process of performance management, as demonstrated in Figure 2.1, performance appraisal is not the only but a vital element because it is the activity which evaluate the outcome of the work, recognize the achievement and weaknesses and give employees and managers a straightforward result on these(Armstrong, 2009, Hutchinson, 2013). From a modern perspective, performance appraisal covers more areas not only on what have been achieved but also on the attitude and contribution of the operator (Hutchinson, 2013), which enhance the functions of identifying training needs.
Figure 2.1 process of performance management
1.2. The Renren Inc.
Renren Inc. has been one of the biggest social media platforms in China owning three main
Performance appraisals, performance reviews and/or appraisal forms are a part of the performance management process. In general, performance appraisals are not favored. People in organizations would prefer not to be advised they did not do tell this year compared to the previous years. Managers would prefer not to put themselves in a scenario that could possibly turn into an argument from an employee about a performance appraisal that was not that great. If the ultimate goal of a performance appraisal is employee development and organizational improvement, we have to consider moving to effective performance management system to avoid any conflicts. The successes of performance management strategies sound favorable to many, however, there are managers and supervisors that make decisions that affect the moral and performance of the employees. Moral can become the heart of an employee’s motivation to succeed and be happy at work.
Development of a performance appraisal system that is effective in a human service organization is of benefit for the organization and the employees. For a performance appraisal system to be effective, the system has to be strategic, designed to fit the specific needs of the organization, non-discriminatory, non-bias, with correct implementation and administration. Many different components, must to be incorporated to make this type of system beneficial for all who use it, and all who are evaluated by the system.
Performance management is a holistic procedure collectively brings various types of elements that constitute towards the flourishing exercise of people management including, above all, learning and development.
Performance management is a tool that managers use to ensure that their companies remain at the top of their competitive edge. The Chartered Institute for Personnel Development (CIPD, 2008), defines performance management as a method by which individuals and teams are managed in a way that achieves high performance at an organisational level. The individuals within the organisation share an understanding of the achievement goals of the organisation. In order to achieve this, a general strategy is created, with each individual within the organisation understanding his or her role and requirements within such a strategy
Performance appraisal is an evaluation and grading exercise undertaken in organizations to achieve several objectives such as employee motivation, identification of training needs, rewards and remuneration, employee development through feedback etc. [Fig. 1]. All methods for performance appraisal have several advantages and disadvantages based on location of the firm, socio-economic environment, vision and mission of the firm, organizational structure and other factors. Organizations in different industrial sectors may have different focus areas of work and different values and thus, expectations from employees vary across sectors.
Although Performance Management evolved from performance appraisals few decades ago, most literature still intensely focuses on performance appraisals when addressing performance management.
One of the most important resources of any organization is its employees, the human resource. This makes it very important that these resources are properly managed; so that they thrive and grow along with the organization. People stream defines performance management as “A process for establishing a shared workforce understanding about what is to be achieved at an organizational level. It is about aligning the organizational objectives with the employees’ agreed skills, competency requirements, development plans and the delivery of results. The emphasis is on improvement, learning and development in order to achieve the overall business strategy and to create a high performance work force”. The performance
Performance appraisal is the performance of staff duties and responsibilities assigned for reviewing and discussion. In this assessment is based on his / her income about the employees where work in, rather than the result of employee personality characteristics. Assessment of skills and achievements measured with reasonable accuracy and consistency. It provides a way to help identify areas of performance improvement, and help promote professional growth. It should not, however, be considered the only means of communication competence. Communication will help open lines to effective working relationships.
This topic focuses and exploring the impact of good performance management on the workforce and also analyse the signs of good performance management and bad performance management. Performance management is a process of communication between an employer and an employee that occurs throughout the year, in support of accomplishing the strategic objectives of the organization. Performance management is a continuing event and not just a yearly task.
At the beginning of this course, I identified performance management and appraising employee performance as two topics of interest to me. The connection between these two topics was evident to me from the start; however I can now see how they connect too many other aspects of my role as a supervisor. At the onset of this course, an increase in negative employee behaviour was my main reason for selecting performance management, more specifically discipline, as an area that could be improved on. However, I failed to see how my weaknesses and the organizations lack of policy were contributing to the employee’s discontent. My first goal was to create and implement a discipline policy and, using the knowledge gained through this course as
The term performance management, may be defined as a systematic process utilized by companies or firms to enhance success by advancing the quality of performance of their staff. This involves the participation of all employees, whether on an individual or a team basis which promotes organization effectiveness in alignment with the organization’s goals.
Critical elements of any performance appraisal are its reliability, validity, and objectivity. Reliability is the consistency with which something is measured; validity is the extent to which an instrument measures whatever it is intended to measure (Saal & Knight, 1995). In terms of performance appraisal, questions addressed are if the appraisal is consistent across employees and those doing the appraising, as well as ensuring the appraisal is actually measuring employee performance and not an outlying characteristic. It is in this area that the 360-degree appraisal is effective. Several authors have agreed that one observer does not effectively provide a thorough performance assessment (Rothstein, 1990). Employees possess valid information and insight regarding performance, and are useful because they have an
An organizational goals can be attained only when people put their greatest efforts. So the organization has to ascertain whether an employee has contributed his or her best performance. Performance appraisal is an objective assessment of an individual’s performance against well-defined benchmarks. The other terms used for performance appraisal are: performance rating, employee assessment, employee performance review, personnel appraisal, performance evaluation, employee evaluation and merit rating. The performance being measured against such factors as job knowledge, quality and quantity of output , initiative, leadership abilities, supervision, dependability, co-operation, judgement, versatility, health, and the like. Assessment
Thus, based on the above content highlighting the importance of performance appraisal in organizations this assignment intends to firstly, define what performance appraisal is. Subsequently, discuss the consequences of: Management by Objectives (MBO) and SMART goal setting, motivation and training as a result of performance appraisal in organizations. Followed by an analysis of how these consequences contribute specifically to organizational or individual performance otherwise a synthesis. Finally, focus will be placed on a concluding evaluation answering if the above consequences contribute to performance.
Performance appraisals are often viewed as a “no-win” situation by both managers and employees (Glen, 1990). Managers view performance appraisals as their job to provide performance feedback and motivate employees in order to drive individual and organizational improvements (Glen, 1990). Employees see performance appraisals as the means to an increased income, improved skills through developmental training and promotional opportunities (Glen,