Organizations derive competitive advantage by outperforming rivals in the execution of activities required to ensure optimum operational effectiveness in providing products and services to customers (Porter, 1996). Operational effectiveness depends largely on the extent to which the organization’s performance management system (PM) is capable of developing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of its people (Allan, 1994). Thus, knowledge of developing and implementing an effective PM system plays an essential role in achieving competitive advantage. Using the table provided in Case Study 1-1 (Aguinis, 2009, pp. 24-25), this paper analyzes the content and efficacy of the PM system being used by Aeternus Life Insurance Corporation (renamed to comply with confidentiality agreements) to develop its people. An effective analysis of a PM system begins by comparing the characteristics of the actual system with those of an ideal system, then assessing the capability of the system for identifying, measuring, developing, and aligning performance with organizational goals (Aguinis, 2009).
The Value of an Effective PM System
In general, an effective PM system contributes to the achievement of organizational strategy, administration of employee transactions, communication of organizational performance expectations, human resource planning, and employee development (Aguinis, 2009). In addition to elements corresponding to the conduct of performance appraisals, the ideal PM system addresses several key characteristics that contribute to the alignment of performance with strategic objectives. Overall, an effective PM system represents a “. . . systematic, data-oriented approach to managing people at work that relies on positive reinforcement a...
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In 2012, Forbes contributor Sebastian Bailey professed, “Bad performance management costs a lot and delivers very little. In fact, when it goes wrong, he tells us, it dilutes the effect of every other people investment. Yet, when done right, the impact is significant (Bailey, 2012). We learn from Aguinis (2013), that there are dangers associated with a poorly implemented performance management systems. These include; increased turnover, wasted time and money, decreased motivation to perform, as well as damaged relationships and lowered self-esteem (p.9). The first purpose of performance management systems is to help top management achieve strategic business objectives (Aguinis, 2013). This reinforces behaviors that are consistent with the company’s cultures and goals and also plays an important role on the commitment, engagement and loyalty of company employees. Employees who have clear expectations, can align their values and vision with the company’s, understand what is expected of them and what they earn in return will have higher satisfaction and longevity within an organization.
The performance assessment and appraisal forms are crucial within the performance management system (Aguinis, 2014). However, the appraisal form within the case study provided is designed for the supervisor’s use thus missing one vital factor throughout the entire process, employee participation. Thus, questioning the validity and reliability of the process. This is especially concerning as the bottom 10 per cent of employees are being fired and the top 20 per cent are being rewarded with $5,000.00 based on what their supervisor records on the form without consultation with employees. Thus, supervisors may not provide accurate scores as they do not have to justify their responses (Aguinis,
The ideal verse actual performance management (PM) system implemented by an organization has similarities and differences that prove to be the distinction between a system that yields the desired results and one that does not. Aguinis (2009) outlines and discusses 14 characteristics of an ideal PM system that, if implemented, are likely to help the system generate the desired results.
Performance appraisals give management the important information for making strategic decisions about employee advancement, retention, and separation. It also connects training and development with career planning and long-term human resources needs of the organization’s (Pynes, 2004). Fortunately, our performance appraisal system has been considered and applied these factors.
Performance management is made up of multiple components, one being performance planning. This component is where the leader establishes the direction and describes the assignment with great clarity. This sets the tone for everyone involved with the project, it is the foundation for further performances and evaluations(Manning & Curtis, 2015, p. 468). It is important for leaders to convey their vision and message to their employees
Performance appraisal is perceived by most as a tool to reward or penalize employees for their good or bad work respectively by the end of a year. This notion is a challenge in itself to deal with. The whole exercise becomes dull for both supervisors and their subordinates and they tend to look at it as an additional responsibility which they have to finish. In the end, there is little or no value addition for either the employee or the organization. There are, however, better ways of looking at and conducting performance appraisals. It can give much needed feedback to both performers and laggards to improve upon and if done properly can even boost their motivation. More importantly, they provide a chance to employees to have a say in their goal setting and thus aligning it with the departmental and organizational goals. Also, the process itself has a value in team making.
Ideal performance determines the progress being made by and organization in its attempts to meet its organizational goals. BP has to conduct performance management on its new stake holders and staff to ensure maximum output and profitability in the organization since it ensures that the employees are working towards the achievement of organizational objectives which is essential. According to the Australian Human Resource Institute (2016), BP can do so by planning, establishing, monitoring, reviewing and evaluating itself, its talented workforce and the individual performance of each employee in the firm. The issues that BP’s performance management will incorporate include remuneration of employees, their training and development, disciplinary procedures and counseling, job planning, compensation and incentives. The constituents of performance management give a framework in which the employees operate (University of Carlifornia, 2016). In the transitional phase that the firm is undergoing, the human resource department at BP Global can decide to implement the following performance management system to ensure efficient service delivery in the
Daniels, A. C. (2004). Performance management: changing behavior that drives organizational effectiveness (4th ed.). Atlanta, GA: Performance Management Publications.
...gement systems and the ones that have more of the fourteen characteristics are more likely to be successful in furthering the organization’s objectives (Aguinis, 2009). According to Winkler (2007), organizations need to improve their employee appraisal system and are moving towards PM systems since a performance-management system is not about controlling individuals; rather it focuses on improving overall performance (Bowes, 2009). According to Bowes (2009), this ensures that employees are doing the right tasks and that the organization has effective support in place to assist individuals. Boulder County Public Health has started to move away from just conducting employee appraisals, which is a step in the right direction. However, there is still significant work that must be done to make their system effective and perceived as fair and equitable by all staff.
Performance management is a management tool used to value, monitor and measure a company’s strategies that ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of its product delivery. This management tool does not focus on the organisation and on its employees as well as stakeholders. It is a continuous process that entails that managers make sure that organisational and employee values are corresponding (Aguinis, 2005,p.1/2-1/5). Performance Management brings about the competencies in the employees, increases self-esteem by giving feedback to employees, there is a low number of lawsuits because it helps understand the company better (eThekwini Municipality, 2008,p.10-11). According to Pride, Hughes and Kapoor (2011, p.288) performance management creates motivation for employees; one theory of motivation is of Expectancy, which stipulates that employees satisfaction is driven by expectations of what an organisation will offer in return.
Presently, organizations have become a complex phenomenon, which requires numerous functions and strategies to manage the human resources. In today’s world there is a great need for organizational change and learning from time to time because of increasing globalization and technological advances. Proper plans and policies should be framed for implementing organizational change (Allen & Kilman, 2001). Organization learning and change manage the performance of the employees in the organization.
Performance management is used for the basis of promotion, reduction in force purposes (talent management), gives transparency of what an organization is looking for, merit increases, and lastly it provides protection against lawsuits for unlawful termination by keeping written documentation. Performance evaluations are advantageous to both the organization and the employee. A leading advantage of performance evaluations is it gives the employee an opportunity to create and achieve smart goals. Although performance evaluations primary function is to measure whether an employee is a good fit or a bad fit for the organization, its function is so much a broader. Performance management is tool purposely used to motivate employees to examine themselves and determine if they have selected the profession that is best for them; consequently the feedback an employee receives from their superior supports them with increase their knowledge and
Organization is a group of people brought to gather to achieve specific goals. Goals can be achieved if team member are performing well. Performance is the results of activities given to the employees in an organization to be achieved within specific period of time. Evaluating the current performance of employees against past performances and organizational standards is known as Performance Appraisal (Dessler, 2005). Furthermore performance appraisal helps the company know how individual employees are performing and how to improve their performance thus improving the performance of the company (Grubb, 2007). A performance appraisal is propose in which the performance management system in an organizations set work goals, determine performance standards, provide performance feedback, determine training and development needs and distribute rewards as well as evaluating an employee’s job performance during a period of time. The performance of team member is much more than appraising individuals’ works, it is managing the business, so the performance of an employee is influences by the performance of an organization. It is target to achieve the best results for the planned strategic by managing activities of employees. There are many different opinions on the performance appraisals, some organizations do performance appraisals without any aim just follow others., where some organizations do performance appraisals to make sure they have a record of a piece of paper in the employee’s file – they are careless about do corrective action. But successful organizations understand the importance of combining performance appraisals into their performance management process and strategy plan as the success of any organizatio...
Performance management is a continuous process that creates a working culture to encourage employees to improve their work performance and reach their full potential during their stay of employment. Performance Management also provides strategic direction, develop competency in employees and instill organization value. This paper will identify methods and affects that performance management plan has on the organization and their employees.
The lack of success at Omega, Inc. rested in the hands of an incompetent sales staff who were not informed of the company’s mission statement and goals. The staff received limited training on the jobs they were to perform. Omega was faced with the challenge of getting the employees to achieve their sales quotas. According to (Aguinis, 2007), “There are two important prerequisites required before a performance management system is implemented: knowledge of the organization’s mission and strategic goals and knowledge of the job in question.” The benefit of superior knowledge of the organization combined with clear and agreed upon mission and strategic goals of their unit would afford employees the opportunity to make contributions that will have a positive impact on the organization as a whole. In addition, one must possess the knowledge of the job in question to execute the tasks necessary to be done and how they should be done. This knowledge is obtained through a job analysis. Omega failed to implement strategic planning throughout all the franchises. According to Aguinis (2007), “Strategic planning allows an organizati...