Stephanie J. Thomason, Amy Brownlee, Amy Beekman Harris and Hemant Rustogi
The purpose of this paper is to test how an individual’s attractiveness to three types of appraisal systems relates to self-rated psychological entitlement and ethics; and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test how an individual’s attractiveness to three types of appraisal systems relates to self-rated psychological entitlement and ethics; and constructs rated by others of: conscientiousness, extraversion and agreeableness.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 148 students in graduate-level business courses and matching close friends/significant others were surveyed. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression and path analysis.
Findings
Path analysis indicated acceptable fit for the overall model of attractiveness to three appraisal types.
Practical implications
Advocates of forced distribution ranking systems (FDRS) suggest that such systems stimulate a high-talent culture and that achievers and strong performers are attracted to FDRS. In contrast, the findings suggest that FDRS are attractive to individuals with high levels of psychological entitlement and low levels of conscientiousness.
Originality/value
Advocates of FDRS and prior research have indicated that such systems reduce leniency bias and stimulate a high-performance and high-talent culture in which honesty is expected and poor performance is not tolerated. Others have found that high achievers and high performers are likely to find such systems attractive. The present study suggests that one downside of FDRS is its attractiveness to workers with low levels of conscientiousness and higher levels of psychological entitlement, which are two personality traits associated with lower levels of performance and a variety of negative outcomes.
Details
Keywords
Stephen A. Stumpf, Mary Anne Watson and Hemant Rustogi
For a practice field to be of greatest value in developing globalleadership capability, it needs to be constructed so as to combinemeaningful cultural and national issues with…
Abstract
For a practice field to be of greatest value in developing global leadership capability, it needs to be constructed so as to combine meaningful cultural and national issues with realistic interpersonal dynamics. Examines how two practice fields designed to facilitate systems thinking and organizational learning – Foodcorp International and Globalcorp – accomplish this task. Both are behavioural simulations (not computer simulations) and each creates a realistic context, a microworld, for people to interact on business and global issues. Both can be used to: (1) bring to the surface cultural assumptions in a social‐business context where they can be observed, tracked and discussed relative to various effectiveness criteria; (2) create a team capable of performing with a shared vision and common mental models; and (3) develop leaders who can create as well as accommodate microcultural norms. Preliminary results using this practice field approach are supportive of these objectives. A growing number of organizations (e.g. Apple Computer, Citicorp, American Express, AT&T, Northern Telecom, Glaxo) and educational institutions (e.g. University of Michigan, Dartmouth College, Indiana University, New York University, the University of Tampa) use such tools in their educational efforts. This permits a rigorous examination of the utility of these tools in management development. Describes the approach, provides two examples of how microworld practice fields are used, and shares the results of the research under way.