Marek Worsch

A better Employee Motivation through the Application of Public Feedback Processes: Enhancing the Effectiveness of Job Appraisals Marek Worsch

Diplomarbeit, die am 29.10.2004 erfolgreich an einer Fachhochschule für Wirtschaft und Technik in Deutschland im Fachbereich Wirtschaftswissenschaften I - Fachbereich 3, Betriebswirtschaft eingereicht wurde. Abstract: The Diploma Thesis at hand considers the interdependence of employee motivation on the one and feedback and job appraisal processes in organisations on the other hand. Basically, today's job appraisal procedures have one major disadvantage. They rarely comprise more than a subjective assessment of employee performance. This assessment is normally carried out by an employee's superior. In this thesis, it will be argued that through the dynamics of bias and politics in organisations, the validity of job appraisal information is significantly distorted. Hereby, the effectiveness of job appraisals is affected negatively since they cannot serve as a reliable basis for personnel decisions. But more important, the distorted information is likely to result in overseeing or ignoring an individual's achievements in the workplace. Lack of appreciation of one's effort and, additionally, the feeling of being treated inequitably compared to co-workers may erode an employee's motivation. However, in a world of accelerating globalisation and thus increasing competition, a motivated workforce is the key to an organisation's success. The thesis will propose a potential solution for this dilemma - public feedback. This means that the information gained through job appraisals will not be discussed 'one-on-one', involving only superior and subordinate. Rather, the discussion is extended to the latter's peers. The prerequisites for and the proceeding of this approach to employee evaluation will be provided. Also, the thesis covers the analysis of a survey. This was accomplished to test the acceptance of a public feedback process among a sample of white collar workers. The results show a general acceptance and appreciation