Advances in Developing Human Resources

Torraco, Richard J.

doi: 10.1177/152342239900100101pmid: N/A

Swanson, Richard A.

doi: 10.1177/152342239900100102pmid: N/A

TheProblemandtheSolution. A problem faced by almost all organizations, and by those who work in them, is in meeting the constant demand for high performance The demand for high performance affects everything, from assunng sustainable financial growth of the organization to satisfying the next customer standing at the front counter But without a holistic mental model of performance and the theoretical elements that drive it, practitioners are left with the task of dissecting and interpreting each situation they face Or even worse, they simply charge ahead in a trial-and-error mode Performance improvement theory results in powerful and practical principles and models to help practitioners identify and solve performance problems

Holton, Elwood F.

doi: 10.1177/152342239900100103pmid: N/A

TheProblemandtheSolution. Performance is multidimensional and often poorly defined. A review of the performance literature in other fields revealed the need for a general performance model that embraces multiple measures and fits any organization. This chapter presents a functional taxonomy of performance that incorporates performance outcomes, performance drivers, and their evaluation In addition, implications for practice are discussed.

Bates, Reid A.

doi: 10.1177/152342239900100104pmid: N/A

TheProblemandtheSolution. Large amounts of time and money are spent on performance improvement efforts without measuring the results In advocating measurement as an indispensable component of performance improvement, this chapter discusses the most appropriate measures for demonstrating performance improvement, explains how and why they should be linked, and cites studies that demonstrate performance improvement in organizations

Russ-Eft, Darlene

doi: 10.1177/152342239900100105pmid: N/A

TheProblemandtheSolution. To make significant gains in performance improvement, we will require better methods and models for improving performance The best way to advance performance improvement methods is through research This chapter looks at research methods best suited for advancing performance improvement This knowledge also serves to make professionals better consumers of performance improvement research

Mulder, Martin

doi: 10.1177/152342239900100106pmid: N/A

TheProblemandtheSolution. Studying performance improvement in complex and dynamic organizations is challenging As a result, studies are limited and authors often do not report them in the literature for fear of being criticized Much knowledge is lost Case studies examine organizational life as it exists They describe organizations and the behavior of people as they occur and provide a deeper understanding of what is actually going on They allow us to learn through the experience of other organizations so we can avoid the uncertainty of trying to improve performance through trial and error

Torraco, Richard J.

doi: 10.1177/152342239900100107pmid: N/A

TheProblemandtheSolution. If organizations operated flawlessly and performance was at its highest levels, what would we see? Functional areas would work together, and the organization would behave as an effective and efficient system does Personnel from key disciplines would collaborate to meet performance opportunities and needs The present would be characterized by organizational health, and sound informed strategic planning would prepare us for the future But most organizations today do not have these characteristics of sustained high performance To attain them, we need better methods and models for improving performance Research on how to achieve these characteristics is the best way to improve performance improvement methods

doi: 10.1177/152342239900100108pmid: N/A