An empirical study of performance management practices in quality-oriented organisations

Reports findings from a research designed to investigate the main issues of the current HR performance evaluation systems in over 150 UK-based quality-focused organisations. The study identified the main characteristics of HR performance evaluation systems currently conducting in TQM-based organisations. The research approach consisted of a questionnaire survey in a sample of cross-section organisations in different economic sectors with enough experience of quality management to reflect the widest possible range of characteristics in the HR performance evaluation practices such as formal performance appraisal, frequency of appraisal, appraisers, purposes of appraisal, alignment of performance evaluation measures with TQM expectations, modification of the performance management system resulted from commencement of TQM, role of personnel management on TQM steering committee, responsibility for quality programmes and performance evaluation practices and, effectiveness of performance evaluation systems in improving and meeting TQM expectations. The survey results provide the most recent details of the performance appraisal systems currently conducting in TQM organisations and their effectiveness in improving and achieving TQM objectives. Implications of these findings for HR performance measurement systems in general, and a quality-driven HR performance measurement in particular, are discussed.