EFFECTS OF PERFORMANCE-APPRAISAL FORMAT ON PERCEIVED GOAL CHARACTERISTICS, APPRAISAL PROCESS SATISFACTION, AND CHANGES IN RATED JOB-PERFORMANCE - A FIELD EXPERIMENT

We hypothesized that a behavioral observation scale (BOS-based) performance appraisal and review process, compared with a graphic rating scale (GRS-based) process, would yield higher levels of goal clarity, acceptance, and commitment; appraisal process satisfaction; and improvement in job performance. Data from a field experiment involving 16 managers and 115 subordinates confirmed all three predictions. These results, and past research, suggest that the primary advantage of a BOS-based performance appraisal may not be psychometric, but may instead be in terms of its effects on work behavior and job performance.