The problem of this study was to determine the perceived impact of the Texas Career Ladder Plan upon the motivational levels of teachers. The purposes were to determine: the impact of the Texas Career Ladder Plan as an incentive for improved job performance; the strengths and weaknesses of the current Texas Career Ladder Plan; the types of incentives that teachers believe would motivate them to perform better; and the suggestions that teachers have to modify the current Texas Career Ladder Plan. An opinionnaire was developed to obtain data pertinent to the perceived impact of the Texas Career Ladder Plan in providing incentives for improved job performance. A random sample of 500 elementary school teachers and 500 secondary school teachers was selected from the personnel rosters of the participating schools. Data from 92 percent of the subjects sampled was achieved. A descriptive analysis was used to interpret data collected in this study. The findings indicated that the Texas Career Ladder Plan has had no impact or a perceived negative impact upon the motivational levels of teachers as indicated by 14 of the opinionnaire items surveyed. There was a perceived positive impact upon the motivational levels of teachers as indicated by eight of the opinionnaire items surveyed. The most frequent suggestion as an incentive to motivate teachers was monetary and the most frequent suggestion to improve the Texas Career Ladder Plan was to improve the teacher appraisal system. It is suggested that further research be done to determine the perceived impact of the Texas Career Ladder Plan upon the motivational levels of all teachers in the state of Texas and the characteristics of the teachers that were perceived to be positively impacted.

Certaines études récentes confirment que les tests de personnalité sont largement utilisés à des fins de sélection dans les organisations nord-américaines et que leur fréquence d’utilisation continue de croître (Boudrias, Pettersen, Longpré, & Plunier, 2008; Rothstein & Goffin, 2006). Or, les résultats des recherches portant sur le lien prévisionnel entre la personnalité et le rendement global au travail sont peu convaincants (Morgeson et al., 2007b; Murphy & Dzieweczynski, 2005). La présente thèse vise à vérifier si une amélioration des liens prédictifs entre la personnalité et le rendement au travail pourrait être obtenue en modifiant la façon d’opérationnaliser les variables prévisionnelles issues des inventaires de personnalité et en précisant les critères à prédire de manière à les rendre plus spécifiques et mieux arrimés. Pour ce faire, la capacité prévisionnelle d’une approche centrée sur le critère, c’est-à-dire l’utilisation de composites de traits de personnalité, est comparée à l’approche traditionnelle centrée sur le prédicteur, dans ce cas-ci, les cinq grands facteurs de personnalité (Big Five). D’autre part, le rendement au travail est opérationnalisé sous l’angle des compétences en emploi, ce qui permet d’en différencier les dimensions et d’augmenter la spécificité des critères. Des hypothèses précisant les facteurs de personnalité qui devraient permettre de prédire chacune des compétences évaluées sont testées. De plus, des hypothèses précisant les traits de personnalité servant à créer les variables composites sont aussi testées. Finalement, une hypothèse portant sur la comparaison de la puissance prévisionnelle des deux approches est mise à l’épreuve. L’échantillon de la recherche est composé de 225 employés occupant divers emplois au sein d’une grande organisation québécoise. Ils ont complété un inventaire de personnalité au travail dans le cadre des processus de sélection de l’organisation. Leur supérieur immédiat a effectué une évaluation de leurs compétences et de leur rendement au moins six (6) mois après leur embauche. Les résultats démontrent que la maîtrise des compétences est mieux prédite par une approche centrée sur le prédicteur (c’est-à-dire les Big Five) que par une approche centrée sur le critère (c’est-à-dire les variables composites). En effet, seules trois hypothèses portant sur le lien entre certains facteurs de personnalité et les compétences se sont avérées partiellement soutenues. Les résultats d’analyses statistiques supplémentaires, réalisées a posteriori afin de mieux comprendre les résultats, laissent supposer la présence de variables modératrices, dont, notamment, les caractéristiques situationnelles. En somme, il nous semble plus probable d’arriver, dans le futur, à trouver une méthode structurée de création des variables composites qui permettrait d’obtenir des liens prévisionnels plus puissants que de découvrir des variables composites qui seraient elles-mêmes généralisables à tous les emplois et à toutes les organisations. Par ailleurs, nous encourageons les praticiens à porter attention à la façon d’utiliser les données de personnalité. Pour le moment, il semble que les facteurs de personnalité permettent de prédire, en partie, le rendement futur en emploi. Or, les preuves empiriques concernant l’efficacité d’autres approches demeurent relativement rares et, surtout, insuffisantes pour guider fidèlement les praticiens à travers les choix nécessaires à leur utilisation. / Recent studies confirm that personality tests are widely used for selection in North American organizations and that their frequency of use continues to grow (Boudrias, Pettersen, Longpre & Plunier 2008; Rothstein & Goffin, 2006 ). However, research shows that the predictive relationship between personality and overall job performance is generally weak and that it remains similar to the initial results on the subject (Morgeson et al, 2007b;. Dzieweczynski & Murphy, 2005). This thesis aims to determine whether an improvement in the predictive relationship between personality and job performance could be achieved by modifying the way data obtained from personality inventories is used and by specifying the criteria to predict. To do so, the predictive ability of an approach centered on the criterion, that is to say, the use of compound variables of personality, is compared with the traditional approach centered on the predictor, in this case, the five factors (Big five). Moreover, job performance is operationalized in terms of job competencies, which makes it possible to differentiate the criteria and to increase its specificity. Hypotheses specifying the personality factors that should predict each competency are tested. In addition, hypotheses specifying the personality traits used to create the compound variables are also tested. Finally, a hypothesis comparing the predictive power of the two approaches is tested. The sample consisted of 225 employees occupying various jobs in a large Quebec organization. These employees have completed a work-contextualized personality inventory through the selection process of the organization. Their immediate supervisor conducted an assessment of their competencies and of their performance at least six (6) months after being hired. Thus, the design of this research is predictive and the method used is based on a confirmatory strategy, which is similar to the normal practices of testing used by industrial and organizational psychologists. Results indicate that the competencies are better predicted by a predictor-centered approach. Indeed, only three hypotheses pertaining to the relationship between personality factors and competencies proved partially supported. The results of additional statistical analyzes, performed in order to better understand the initial results, suggest the presence of moderating variables, including, in particular, the situational characteristics. In conclusion, it seems, at this time, much more likely for researchers to find a structured method for creating compound variables that would provide stronger predictive relationship, than to discover new compound variables that would be predictive of performance in every job and every organization. In addition, we encourage practitioners to pay attention to the way they use personality data. For the moment, it seems that personality factors predict, in part, future job performance. However, empirical evidence on the effectiveness of alternative approaches is relatively rare, and insufficient to accurately guide practitioners through the choice necessary for their use.

A economia mundial encontra-se em estado de constante mudança impulsionada por fatores como desintermediação e desregulamentação que aliadas à evolução tecnológica resultam na redução de elos das cadeias de valor agregado que unem agentes que ofertam e demandam produto e serviços. O resultado dessa redução de elos é uma crescente aproximação entre os extremos das cadeias de valor agregado. Os canais de distribuição cumprem o importante papel de promover a entrega de produtos e serviços do agente que oferta para o agente demandante. Na indústria financeira de varejo os canais eletrônicos de distribuição já respondem por aproximadamente 85% das transações, reconfigurando portanto a logística de distribuição bancária que têm como forças-motrizes a convergência e a mobilidade. Nos canais eletrônicos bancários o cliente se identifica antes de realizar sua transação, transformando dessa maneira o fluxo pré-identificado de clientes no ativo mais valioso da instituição, fazendo do uso eficaz de sua ferramenta de gestão do relacionamento com cliente, um instrumento de vantagem competitiva. No sentido de se conferir uma maior capacidade de interpretação à ferramenta de gestão do relacionamento com clientes, buscou-se incorporar os tipos psicológicos ao elenco de variáveis que descrevem seu\' comportamento financeiro. O presente estudo utilizou uma amostra de 876 atendentes de um call center de uma instituição financeira de varejo com o propósito de se identificar evidências de associação entre os tipos psicológicos dos atendentes, apurados pela aplicação do Keirsey Temperament Sorter, e seus comportamentos financeiros e desempenhos profissionais. Foram desenvolvidas análises descritivas e qualitativas. As atitudes Introversão Extroversão apresentaram-se como as variáveis com maior poder de explicação das evidências de associação encontradas. / World economy is facing an ever changing scenario due to desintermediation, deregulation and technology evolution causing a reduction in the size of the value added chain that gathers demand and offer economic agents. The distribution channels play the important role of delivering products and services from the offer agent to the demand agent. In the retail banking industry the electronic channels, that represent approximately 85% of the transactions, are reshaping the distribution logistics empowered by two main drivers: convergence and mobility. In the banking electronic channels the customer has to identify himself before he does his transaction, by doing so the pre identified flow of customers becomes the most valuable corporate asset, transforming the CRM into a competitive advantage tool. In order to provide the CRM a better understanding, the psychological types were added to the variables that describe the customer behavior. This study used a sample of 876 attendants from a retail bank call center searching for evidences of association among psychological types of the attendants that answered the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, and their financial behavior and professional performance. Descriptive and qualitative analysis were developed. Introversion and Extraversion attitudes were the variables that showed the more significant evidences among the associations that were found.

Este estudo tem por objetivo contribuir para a investigação sobre as relações entre as práticas de GERH, o engajamento no trabalho e resultados no nível do indivíduo: desempenho no cargo e intenção de sair da organização. A pesquisa bibliográfica demonstrou a multiplicidade de Práticas, Sistemas de Práticas de GERH, com convergências e divergências. O referencial Amo Framework para a definição das Práticas se mostrou, ao menos conceitualmente, um modelo robusto e integrador do plano organizacional para o plano individual. Empiricamente, encontramos forte associação entre as Práticas de GERH orientadas pelo AMO e o Engajamento o que, sem dúvida, é uma contribuição para o \"Problema da Caixa Preta\". Ainda quanto à pesquisa bibliográfica, foi analisado o construto engajamento no trabalho e suas diversas linhas teóricas, variáveis antecedentes e escalas de mensuração. Foi definido modelo teórico que relaciona as Práticas de GERH, os resultados individuais, o engajamento no trabalho e variáveis antecedentes relevantes associadas ao engajamento, que foi testado via Modelagem de Equações Estruturais (Lavaan- R), atendendo aos requisitos de qualidade de ajuste (GOF), com parâmetros considerados bons. O foco desta pesquisa foi trazer o construto de engajamento no trabalho para o debate acadêmico no Brasil e seu papel na Gestão Estratégica de RH. Desse modo, em tempos de alta competitividade, podemos afirmar que um dos objetivos da GERH deve estar ligado à promoção dos níveis de Engajamento. Nesse estudo, ficou demonstrada a robustez do construto e sua mensuração, a validade discriminante com outros construtos e na amostra pesquisada a associação significativa direta em relação ao Desempenho no Cargo e a Intenção de Sair. Foram confirmadas as hipóteses com respeito à importância do engajamento no trabalho - quer seja em sua associação direta com as variáveis de resultado individuais, quer seja pela sua associação indireta nas relações entre as Práticas de GERH (e Suporte Percebido) e as variáveis consequentes pesquisadas. Como contribuições da tese para a Teoria, consideramos que os resultados desta tese fazem avançar a compreensão acerca do \'Problema da Caixa Preta\' ao demonstrar a forte associação positiva entre as Práticas de GERH e o engajamento no trabalho e este com comportamentos e atitudes desejáveis. Sugestões para futuras investigações bem como implicações teóricas, metodológicas e práticas são discutidas. / This study aims to contribute to research on the relationships between the practices of SHRM, work engagement and results at the individual level: performance and intention to leave the organization (reverse). The bibliographical research demonstrated the multiplicity of Practices, Systems of Practices of SHRM, with convergences and divergences. The Amo framework for the definition of Practices has been shown, at least conceptually, as a robust and integrative model. Empirically, we find a strong association between the AMO oriented practices and the engagement, which undoubtedly contributes to the \'black box problem\'. As for bibliographical research, the work engagement construct and its various theoretical lines, antecedents variables and measurement scales were analyzed. It was defined a theoretical model that relates the SHRM Perceived Practices, the individual results, the engagement in the work and relevant antecedent variables associated to the engagement, which was tested using Structural Equation Modeling (Lavaan-R), meeting the requirements of quality of fit (GOF), with parameters considered good. The focus of this research was to bring the work engagement construct to the academic debate in Brazil and its role in SHRM. Thus, in times of high competitiveness, we can say that one of the objectives of the SHRM must be linked to the promotion of levels of work engagement. In this study, the robustness of the construct and its measurement, the discriminant validity with other constructs and a direct significant association with respect to job performance and the Intention to leave (reversed) were proved. The hypotheses regarding the importance of engagement at work - whether in their direct association with the individual outcome variables or their indirect association in the relationship between the Practices of SHRM Perceived Practices, and Perceived Support and the consequent variables were confirmed in the sample. As contributions of the thesis to the Theory, we consider that the results of this thesis advances the understanding about the \'Black Box Problem\' by demonstrating the strong positive association between the SHRM Practices and the work engagement and the latter with desirable behaviors and attitudes. Suggestions for future investigations as well as theoretical, methodological and practical implications are discussed.

O presente estudo busca analisar, no contexto de uma organização pública brasileira, as relações de qualidade de vida no trabalho, bem-estar financeiro, literacia financeira e desempenho individual. No campo teórico se observou as pesquisas e fundamentos do bem-estar humano que em diversos estudos é associado à felicidade, composto pela satisfação com a vida e pelo balanço de afetos negativos e positivos, uma vez que se constitui de aspectos envolvidos pelos demais construtos. Demonstrados os fundamentos dos estudos anteriores de cada elemento das relações analisadas, foi definido o modelo geral de delineamento da pesquisa, adotando a literacia financeira e bem-estar financeiro como antecedentes de qualidade de vida no trabalho, e qualidade de vida no trabalho e bem-estar financeiro como antecedentes de desempenho no trabalho. Para a amostra foram apresentadas as estatísticas descritivas, procedendo-se à análise de consistência das escalas, que foram consideradas adequadas. Posteriormente, foram testadas as relações por meio de modelagem de equações estruturais (SEM), passando pelos testes de ajustes com parâmetros considerados bons e válidos para as inferências de análise. De quatro (04) hipóteses testadas nas relações, os resultados apresentados demonstram que: a primeira hipótese foi suportada, demonstrando-se que é possível inferir que o Estado Pessoal de Qualidade de Vida influencia positivamente o Desempenho no Trabalho, com coeficiente de 0,298; a hipótese dois foi suportada, podendo-se inferir que Bem-estar Financeiro apresenta relação precedente significativa e positiva para a Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho, com coeficiente de 0,651; a hipótese três não foi suportada no modelo de equações estruturais, então foi realizado teste de correlação de Spearman, e dada a distribuição não normal, foi possível inferir que Literacia Financeira está significativamente correlacionada com Estado Pessoal de Qualidade de Vida com coeficiente 0,228; por fim, a hipótese quatro foi suportada, inferindo-se que o aumento do Bem-estar Financeiro influencia de forma significativa e positiva o aumento no Desempenho com coeficiente de 0,628. Compreende-se que o presente estudo enriquece as relações estudadas a respeito de qualidade de vida no trabalho ao trazer os construtos de literacia financeira e bem-estar financeiro para o debate de comportamento organizacional e gestão de pessoas no Brasil, bem ainda, sua influência para a gestão estratégica de pessoas observados os reflexos sobre desempenho no trabalho. / The present study aims to analyze in the context of a Brazilian public organization the relations between quality of work life, financial wellbeing, financial literacy and job performance. In the theoretical field, was demonstrated the research and principles about human wellbeing that in several studies is associated with happiness, composed by the satisfaction with life and by the balance of negative and positive affects, since it is constituted of aspects involved by the other constructs in this research. After demonstrating literature that support each construct of the relationships analyzed in previous studies of each element, the general model of research design was defined, adopting financial literacy and financial wellbeing as antecedents of quality of work life, and quality of work life and financial wellbeing as antecedents of job performance. For the sample, the descriptive statistics were presented, the analysis of consistency of the scales was considered and confirmed appropriate, after the relationships were tested through structural equation modeling (SEM), through the tests of adjustments with parameters considered good and valid for the inferences of analysis. From the four hypotheses tested in the relations, the results presented demonstrate that: the first hypothesis was supported, demonstrating that it is possible to infer that the Personal State of Quality of Work Life positively influences the Job Performance, with coefficient of 0,298; the hypothesis two was supported, it can be inferred Financial Wellbeing presents a significant and positive precedent relation for Quality of Work Life, with a coefficient of 0.651; the hypothesis three was not supported in the structural equations model, then the Spearman Correlation test was performed, given the not normal distribution, allowing to infer that Financial Literacy is significantly correlated with Personal State of Quality of Work Life with a coefficient of 0.228; and hypothesis four supported, inferring that the increase in Financial Wellbeing influences significantly and positively the increase in Job Performance with a coefficient of 0.628. It is understood that the present study enriches the relations studied regarding quality of life at work by bringing the constructs of financial literacy and financial wellbeing to the debate of organizational behavior and people management in Brazil, and its influence for the management strategic human resources observed reflections on job performance.

O presente estudo busca analisar, no contexto de uma organização pública brasileira, as relações de qualidade de vida no trabalho, bem-estar financeiro, literacia financeira e desempenho individual. No campo teórico se observou as pesquisas e fundamentos do bem-estar humano que em diversos estudos é associado à felicidade, composto pela satisfação com a vida e pelo balanço de afetos negativos e positivos, uma vez que se constitui de aspectos envolvidos pelos demais construtos. Demonstrados os fundamentos dos estudos anteriores de cada elemento das relações analisadas, foi definido o modelo geral de delineamento da pesquisa, adotando a literacia financeira e bem-estar financeiro como antecedentes de qualidade de vida no trabalho, e qualidade de vida no trabalho e bem-estar financeiro como antecedentes de desempenho no trabalho. Para a amostra foram apresentadas as estatísticas descritivas, procedendo-se à análise de consistência das escalas, que foram consideradas adequadas. Posteriormente, foram testadas as relações por meio de modelagem de equações estruturais (SEM), passando pelos testes de ajustes com parâmetros considerados bons e válidos para as inferências de análise. De quatro (04) hipóteses testadas nas relações, os resultados apresentados demonstram que: a primeira hipótese foi suportada, demonstrando-se que é possível inferir que o Estado Pessoal de Qualidade de Vida influencia positivamente o Desempenho no Trabalho, com coeficiente de 0,298; a hipótese dois foi suportada, podendo-se inferir que Bem-estar Financeiro apresenta relação precedente significativa e positiva para a Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho, com coeficiente de 0,651; a hipótese três não foi suportada no modelo de equações estruturais, então foi realizado teste de correlação de Spearman, e dada a distribuição não normal, foi possível inferir que Literacia Financeira está significativamente correlacionada com Estado Pessoal de Qualidade de Vida com coeficiente 0,228; por fim, a hipótese quatro foi suportada, inferindo-se que o aumento do Bem-estar Financeiro influencia de forma significativa e positiva o aumento no Desempenho com coeficiente de 0,628. Compreende-se que o presente estudo enriquece as relações estudadas a respeito de qualidade de vida no trabalho ao trazer os construtos de literacia financeira e bem-estar financeiro para o debate de comportamento organizacional e gestão de pessoas no Brasil, bem ainda, sua influência para a gestão estratégica de pessoas observados os reflexos sobre desempenho no trabalho. / The present study aims to analyze in the context of a Brazilian public organization the relations between quality of work life, financial wellbeing, financial literacy and job performance. In the theoretical field, was demonstrated the research and principles about human wellbeing that in several studies is associated with happiness, composed by the satisfaction with life and by the balance of negative and positive affects, since it is constituted of aspects involved by the other constructs in this research. After demonstrating literature that support each construct of the relationships analyzed in previous studies of each element, the general model of research design was defined, adopting financial literacy and financial wellbeing as antecedents of quality of work life, and quality of work life and financial wellbeing as antecedents of job performance. For the sample, the descriptive statistics were presented, the analysis of consistency of the scales was considered and confirmed appropriate, after the relationships were tested through structural equation modeling (SEM), through the tests of adjustments with parameters considered good and valid for the inferences of analysis. From the four hypotheses tested in the relations, the results presented demonstrate that: the first hypothesis was supported, demonstrating that it is possible to infer that the Personal State of Quality of Work Life positively influences the Job Performance, with coefficient of 0,298; the hypothesis two was supported, it can be inferred Financial Wellbeing presents a significant and positive precedent relation for Quality of Work Life, with a coefficient of 0.651; the hypothesis three was not supported in the structural equations model, then the Spearman Correlation test was performed, given the not normal distribution, allowing to infer that Financial Literacy is significantly correlated with Personal State of Quality of Work Life with a coefficient of 0.228; and hypothesis four supported, inferring that the increase in Financial Wellbeing influences significantly and positively the increase in Job Performance with a coefficient of 0.628. It is understood that the present study enriches the relations studied regarding quality of life at work by bringing the constructs of financial literacy and financial wellbeing to the debate of organizational behavior and people management in Brazil, and its influence for the management strategic human resources observed reflections on job performance.

The topic of the diploma thesis Comparison of incentive system of selected companies is a comparison of companies's motivation programmes and motivational factors in the company branches to improve the work performance of employees. The theoretical partdeals with a definition of terms. The practical part is focused on Move One Inc. In the research part, the employee satisfaction in the company and suitable ways of motivation are verified by using a questionnaire and a personal interview. In the conclusion of the thesis, a motivational programe is proposed, including changes which should contribute to a more effective motivation of the employees.

Thesis (MPA.) --University of Limpopo, 2002 / Refer to the document

The technology acceptance model (TAM) has been widely used to assess technology adoption in business, education, and health care. The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) launched a web-based Individualized Educational Program (IEP) system for school psychologists to use in conducting evaluations and reviews. This quantitative study examined the relationship between school psychologists' TAM factors associated with the web-based IEP system's perceived usability and usefulness measured by a TAM Instrument with individual job performance assessed by the Job Performance Ratings Measure. A random sample of 69 NYCDOE school psychologists participated in this study, and a regression analysis addressed the research questions. The results showed no positive effects of perceived ease of use in job performance. In addition, there were no positive effects of perceived usefulness in job performance. The results of this study might benefit administrators and districts to see the need to explore additional resources. As ease of use and usefulness are vital to technology acceptance, providing resources to school psychologists are key to the overall success of the IEP process. Future research should take a qualitative approach to illuminate why and how school psychologists accept technology, especially when it involves the IEP process.

The ability to improve employee engagement in small businesses is critical, not only to workers but also to midlevel managers who want to retain productive employees in the workplace. Supervisors who lack efficient managerial practices also risk decreases in productivity, profitability, and sustainability. The conceptual framework for this qualitative, exploratory single-case study was Kahn's theory of personal engagement and disengagement. The population consisted of 2 midlevel managers from a single, small, franchise company in metropolitan Alabama, both of whom used engagement practices, and managed at least 5 subordinates in the company. Data collected, analyzed, and triangulated were from semistructured interviews, direct observations, and a review of company documents. Coded interview responses aligned with the research question, conceptual framework, and emergent themes resulted in identifying successful engagement strategies that midlevel leaders to use. Two critical themes that emerged were management and communication. Supportive management behaviors and leader-member exchange yielded positive employee engagement and increased job performance and productivity. These results could be used to help midlevel managers develop strategies that improve employee enagagement and job performance. Social change implications included leaders developing new strategies that encourage positive relationships among top-level and midlevel leaders, lower level employees, and customers.