Despite its recognized centrality as an organizational tool, there are decades of mixed findings relating to the employee performance benefits associated with different forms of performance feedback. The ambiguity present in the literature has been attributed to multiple factors, including feedback purpose and the context within which feedback occurs. Integrating these broad themes, a model is developed, expanding the breadth of relevant social context variables to include horizontal pay dispersion. Building from tournament theory, in a field experiment of 267 employees across 22 units, the results find improved performance from diagnostic feedback delivered under increasing pay dispersion; however, substantively different patterns emerge for criterion-referenced feedback. The current findings have implications for both performance feedback research and tournament theory.
Despite its recognized centrality as an organizational tool, there are decades of mixed findings relating to the employee performance benefits associated with different forms of performance feedback. The ambiguity present in the literature has been attributed to multiple factors, including feedback purpose and the context within which feedback occurs. Integrating these broad themes, a model is developed, expanding the breadth of relevant social context variables to include horizontal pay dispersion. Building from tournament theory, in a field experiment of 267 employees across 22 units, the results find improved performance from diagnostic feedback delivered under increasing pay dispersion; however, substantively different patterns emerge for criterion-referenced feedback. The current findings have implications for both performance feedback research and tournament theory.
Start Exploring
Tell us more about what you’re looking for
May We Suggest
Admissions
Broaden your career opportunities, gain hands-on experience, discover a personalized education, and make friends to last a lifetime.
Center for Teaching Excellence
The UVA Wise Center for Teaching Excellence offers undergraduate-level courses for those seeking licensure and recertification.
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
Learn about the 30-credit hour, non-thesis degree program which will be implemented in the fall 2023 semester.
Support UVA Wise
Your support directly contributes to scholarships, research and study abroad programs, facility upgrades, athletics, and much more.