Thesis (MSc (Industrial Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2010. / Please refer to full text to view abstract.

M.A. (Industrial Psychology) / In reviewing current literature on the evaluation of people, it is clear that the effect of test anxiety accompanying the evaluation process may be detrimental to the individual's performance. In fact, this under achievement of apprentices doing trade tests have significant financial implications for both the individual and the organization concerned. Accordingly, to counteract this adverse effect, it has been recommended that the technique "Stress Inoculation Training" (SIT) be implemented - the end result being an improvement in the individuals' performance. Theoretical persepectives and alternative conceptual understandings of test anxiety are reviewed. In this respect an important development in the field of test anxiety treatment is research dealing with the reinforcement of the individual's ability to cope with stressful and problematic situations, for when test anxiety is reduced the person experiences a corresponding increase in self-efficacy. Self-efficacy plays an important role in a person's belief that he or she can perform to achieve a desired result. In addition, a high degree of self-efficacy has a strong motivational effect. It is suggested therefore, that learning experiences be so designed as to improve self-efficacy, perseverance and performance. This performance can be achieved by the skills taught in SIT. It is also stressed that SIT is a comprehensive approach for the control of stress-related problems.

The aim of this study is to develop and propose a strategic role enhancement for the Internal Auditing function for South African companies, by incorporating the Balanced Scorecard as a guide. The proposed strategy will be developed based on the methodology and the relevant elements and aspects for such a strategy derived from the latest literature on the subject. The concepts of Internal Auditing, strategy and Balanced Scorecard will be defined and discussed, by means of literature research. The intent of this paper is to consider the critical aspects regarding the utilisation of the Balanced Scorecard to enhance the strategic role of the Internal Auditor. / Mr. J. Bredenkamp

The development and application of performance measurement systems for a purchasing function within a professional service company possesses a great challenge for both practitioners and academics. Despite the increasing popularity of this topic, the systems that are currently developed are rarely adequate to be applicable at the business-unit level. Furthermore, the existing productivity measures are predominantly designed to measure performance in industries where the inputs and outputs are both tangible and standardized items. Intangible and non-quantifiable factors of production cannot be reliably measured by manufacturing performance methodologies. Consequently, purchasing professionals seek tools to accurately track purchasing performances and connect it to given business strategies and objectives. This paper aims to develop a design of the performance measurement system that can be applicable onto the optimize-sourcing department of the selected firm of this study. The first section of the paper outlines key performance measurement concepts and establishes a theoretical framework that supports the following research. Subsequent questionnaires and interviews that were conducted with vital stakeholders reveal the flaws of the current performance measurement system. Conclusions derived from the interviews and questionnaires support the findings of extensive literature reviews. In the following chapters, the paper focuses on the development of the new model that overcomes limitations of the model in use. The thesis also lists additional recommendations on the implementation phase of the new model. In the final section, this paper emphasizes the limitations of the proposed model and describes potential challenges related to the implementation phase.

The construction industry is unique with many challenges. Managing claims can be one of the greatest challenges. Construction projects are becoming more influenced by factors that lead to claims. The literature review highlighted a few of these factors which include: safety issues, design errors, delay, and changes. Moreover, the literature review presented studies in performance measurement and benchmarking as a way to mitigate these factors. The research presented the results from a benchmarking study used to improve contractors that performed work for the Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District. The study selected and analyzed 40 random construction contractors. Five performance elements were identified to measure each contractor. A five-point scale evaluated each contractor based on these elements. The results of this research indicated that benchmarking is an effective tool for improving performance and mitigating the cause of claims.

Mystery shopping is used in a variety of service industries to measure service performance, as a training tool for employees, and to ensure the safety and security of the product offered. The persons performing this activity, mystery shoppers, experience various motivations, some of which are similar to employees and/or volunteers. These motivations can be intrinsic, where the performance of the activity is a reward itself, or extrinsic, meaning performance of the activity is a method for attaining a reward. The dominance of intrinsic or extrinsic motivation can shift within the individual, which is termed motivation crowding. Individuals can crowd in when intrinsic motivations are supplemented and supported by extrinsic motivations, or crowd out if extrinsic motivations become the dominant factor, devaluing the activity and reducing intrinsic motivation. This study examines the motivations of mystery shoppers and examines whether the tenets of motivation crowding are supported using a mixed methods research design. The objectives for the study were to identify, classify, and measure mystery shopping motivations using motivational theory to test for the presence of motivation crowding, as reflected in the initial two hypotheses: H1: There are salient dimensions of motivation influencing individual participation in mystery shopping activities. H2: Mystery shoppers experience motivation "crowding in" after initial performance of mystery shopping activities, with intrinsic motivations increasing. To address the first hypothesis, the study began with a qualitative research approach utilizing semi-structured interviews with current mystery shoppers. Through qualitative analysis, 14 constructs of mystery shopper motivations were identified. The constructs were then utilized to develop the Mystery Shopper Motivation Scale, following the eight-step scale development process defined by DeVellis (2003). The scale was then refined through pre-testing and pilot testing, and was used in a survey administration to 323 current mystery shoppers. Through factor analysis, the motivations identified were quantitatively supported, and then dependent t-tests indicated the presence of motivation crowding affecting mystery shoppers. However, unanticipated increases in extrinsic motivations prompted further analysis of motivations based on mystery shopping experience levels, resulting in the addition of a third hypothesis: H3: The direction of motivation crowding is dependent on the mystery shopper's level of experience. H3a: Mystery shoppers who have performed less than 10 mystery shops will crowd in, with an increase in intrinsic motivations and a decrease in extrinsic motivations. H3b: Mystery shoppers who have performed between 10-24 mystery shops will crowd in, with an increase in both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, and intrinsic motivations remaining the dominant factor. H3c: Mystery shoppers who have performed 25 or more mystery shops will crowd in, with an increase in both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, but extrinsic motivations becoming the dominant factor. Results supported motivation crowding as dependent on the experience level of the mystery shopper, prompting the categorization of three distinct mystery shopping phases of activity: the novelty phase, the exploratory phase, and the career phase. Empirical results of the survey were then compared to a subsequent round of qualitative analysis of mystery shopper online forums. Recommendations for future research include longitudinal studies of novelty phase mystery shoppers, examination of the effects motivation crowding may have on mystery shopper behavioral intentions, and incorporation of the perceived costs associated with mystery shopping.

This dissertation provides results of three studies, which examine the utilization of organizational performance measurement systems. Evidence gathered in the first study provides insight into the number of perspectives or components found in the evaluation of an organization's performance and the relative weight placed on those components. The evidence suggests that the number of performance measurement components and their relative composition is situational. Components depend heavily on the strategies selected by the organization. Bottom-line financial measures like return on invested capital and net profit, while perceived as more important than their nonfinancial counterparts, were not part of the extracted components suggesting that they were viewed as outcomes to be achieved by controlling key nonfinancial measures. The second study examines potential cognitive difficulties inherent in the use of performance measurement systems. Results suggest that whether performance was better than target, worse than target, or equal to target does not affect the perceived importance of the measures. Results also suggest an emphasis on historical financial measures and a lack of emphasis on more forward-looking nonfinancial measures. In addition, there is evidence of a halo effect in that an organization's performance on financial measures appears to influence an individual's perception of the organization's performance on nonfinancial measures. The third study uses structural equation modeling and other related procedures to examine the relationships surrounding an executive's use of performance measurement information. Results suggest that a personality characteristic of executives, specifically their intolerance of ambiguity, affects the amount of information perceived to be important in a performance measurement system. The results further suggest that the amount of information perceived to be important affects the evaluation of organizational performance with perceived risk serving as a mediating variable. Overall, these three studies add to our knowledge of organizational performance measurement system utilization by examining the relative weightings of performance measures, the judgmental effects from utilization of performance measurement systems, and the impact of intolerance of ambiguity on the importance of performance measurement data. In addition, this dissertation examines the link between performance measurement data and the perception of risk in the evaluation of organizational performance. / Ph. D.

No / This paper aims to evaluate the aims and methods of appraisal, and the difficulties encountered in the appraisal process. The paper uses a review of the literature to evaluate the development of appraisals and argues that the critical area of line management development that was identified as a critical success factor in appraisals has been ignored in the later literature evaluating the effectiveness of performance appraisals. The review identifies the lack of theoretical development in appraisal and argues the psychological approach of analysis and a more critical realisation of appraisal, re‐evaluating the challenge to remove subjectivity and bias in judgement of appraisal. Further evaluation of key interpersonal skills is required for appraisal systems to develop performance. The use and design of performance pay in public and private services linked to appraisal have not always improved organisational performance and can contribute to reduced motivation. Little research has evaluated the current increases in using appraisals and the changes in focus from appraisal to performance management. The paper adds value to the existing body of knowledge and offers insights for practitioners and researchers.

<p>Performance measurement is a topic that has received considerable attention during the last decades. There are many motives for using performance measures in a company but perhaps the most crucial one is that they will help to improve productivity when used properly. Productivity is of vital importance to a company’s ability to compete and make profits over time. A company that is not able to efficiently utilise its resources in creating value for its customers will not survive in the competitive business environment of today. </p><p>However, the development of fully functional and suitable performance measurement systems (i.e. set of measures) has proven to be a very challenging task. This research has focused on the last phase of the development of performance measurement system, namely the continuous updating of the performance measures, which still have not been explored in a satisfactory manner. The objective is to investigate and clarify how to evaluate and revise performance measurement systems. In order to reach this objective, several obstacles that contribute to the complexity of the research area are treated. </p><p>In the beginning, the thesis thoroughly investigates the confusing terminology within the field and frequently used terms like productivity, profitability, performance, efficiency and effectiveness are explained. Then, a categorisation of ways to measure performance is presented along with advantages and shortcomings of different productivity and other performance measures. Several key-factors found to affect the productivity of a manufacturing company are also discussed, such as: design of processes and equipment, disturbances and losses, management and control, product design, and job design and work organisation. Much attention is given to the different requirements that performance measurement systems must fulfil, both on the system level and the measure level. Finally a method called the performance measurement progression map is finally proposed, which has been developed in order to give measurement practitioners a comprehensive guide of how to evaluate and revise performance measurement systems. </p><p>The thesis is concluded with the results from several empirical investigations in which the usefulness of the developed method is validated. </p><p><b>Keywords:</b> Performance measurement, Performance measurement systems, Productivity, Evaluation</p>

Didėjantis mokslininkų ir praktikų dėmesys organizacijos veiklos vertinimo problematikai skatina nagrinėti organizacijos veiklos vertinimo, kaip vadybos tyrimų objekto, aktualijas. Aktualu tampa nagrinėti, kokia turi būti organizacijos veiklos vertinimo sistema, kuri, organizacijoms vykdant veiklą kintančioje aplinkoje, užtikrintų kompleksinį organizacijos veiklos vertinimą ir panaudotų vertinimo rezultatus organizacijos valdyme. Disertacijoje nagrinėjamos organizacijos veiklos vertinimo sampratos, vertinimo ryšys su organizacijos valdymu, požiūriai į organizacijos veiklos vertinimą, atliekama organizacijos veiklos vertinimo sistemų apžvalga ir palyginamoji analizė, formuluojamos organizacijos veiklos vertinimo sistemų vystymo kryptys, analizuojamos organizacijos veiklos vertinimo sistemos pasirinkimo problemos. Atlikus empirinį tyrimą, kuriuo siekiama nustatyti kompleksinio organizacijos veiklos vertinimo poreikį Lietuvos verslo organizacijose, pateikiami rezultatai. Atsižvelgiant į kompleksinio organizacijos veiklos vertinimo sistemos formavimo teorinį ir praktinį poreikį, kuriama kompleksinio organizacijos veiklos vertinimo sistema, apibrėžianti sistemos funkcijas, vertinimo elementus ir procesus. Kompleksinio organizacijos veiklos vertinimo sistemos praktinio įgyvendinimo tikslais nustatomi kompleksinio organizacijos veiklos vertinimo sistemos formavimo etapai ir kuriamos konkrečios priemonės kiekvieno etapo įgyvendinimui. Siekiant patvirtinti pateiktų pasiūlymų tinkamumą... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The growing attention of scientists and practitioners towards the issues of performance measurement encourage to analyze actualities of performance measurement as individual object of management. It becomes relevant to analyze what performance measurement system must be in order to ensure for the organizations operating in the changing environment the multidimensional performance measurement and usage of measurement results for the management of organization. In dissertation concepts of performance measurement, its relation to management, different approaches towards performance measurement are analyzed, review and comparative analysis of different performance measurement systems is done, directions of development of performance measurement systems are formulated, problems involved in selection among different performance measurement systems are analyzed. Findings of the empirical research assessing the need for multidimensional performance measurement in Lithuanian business organizations are presented. Depending on the need for formation of the multidimensional performance measurement system at both theoretical and practical level, the multidimensional performance measurement system is being designed defining its functions, measurement elements and processes. With the purpose of practical implementation of the multidimensional performance measurement system, stages of formation of the multidimensional performance measurement system and particular means for its implementation... [to full text]