Situational Factors Affecting Performance‐rating Ability

The effect of situational factors on the rating ability of 28 industrial analysts was determined through the use of rating films. The rating ability was evaluated in terms of rating accuracy and consistency. Significant differences in rating accuracy were found among the analysts from five different companies. The analysts who used time standards for planning functions surprisingly rated more consistently than those who employed time standards for a wage incentive programme. Shop labour organization, union or non‐union, had no significant impact on the analysts′ rating ability. The analysts′ rating consistency was significantly better for the medium (85‐120 per cent) and fast (125‐145 per cent) pace ranges than for the slow (60‐80 per cent) pace range. The rating consistency of the fast pace range was significantly better than the medium pace range. The familiar (machining) operations were rated more accurately and consistently than the unfamiliar (sheet metal) operations. The rating accuracy for the simple operations was significantly better than the moderate and complex operations. The simple and complex operations were rated significantly more consistently than the moderate operations.