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This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/eb028321. When citing the article, please cite: Francis X. Gibbons, Brian H. Kleiner, (1993), “FACTORS THAT BIAS EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS”, Management Research News, Vol. 16 Iss: 7, pp. 10 - 14.

Decisions on management development need to be taken by a wide range of people in different parts and at different levels of the organisation. This article looks at the information needs of the main decision makers in management development, i.e. senior, line, specialist and trainee managers. It is illustrated with examples from the authors' current work in British organisations.

The fair evaluation of employees is crucial to the well being of the organisation, the manager and the employee. This article looks at four factors that have been shown to bias the appraisal process. These factors are the style of dress of the employee vis‐a‐vis the rater, the attributions made by both rater and ratee regarding performance, the prior expectations of the supervisor regarding the employee's performance, and the effect of employee grievances on his or her subsequent evaluations. These four factors are but four of many possible biases that enter into the evaluation process because of the human dynamic. They are instructive, but more importantly they should serve to alert appraisers to the many possible biases that may be operative in them but of which they are unaware.

Beginning in February 1973, an experimental course was run by Durham University Business School for Durham Probation Service. The course was an innovation as far as the Business School was concerned, as no member of staff had extensive experience in the teaching of management concepts to members of a social service department. Similarly, experience of this type of management course was, for Probation Service personnel, very limited. A feature of the course was the composition of the participant group from the Probation Service. The entire top management strata were to attend, together with the area groups of Senior Probation Officers. Figure 1 illustrates the upper organisation structure of the service.

Under this heading are published monthly news of recent professional appointments, industrial developments and business changes, etc.

Appraisal plays a critical part in the development of management resources in any organisation. From the standpoint of the boss‐subordinate relationship, the performance areas examined, the quality of any feedback and the way in which information is used—all these factors can directly affect the current and future performance of the individual manager who is being appraised. From the view of the overall management development role, attitudes to appraisal and the quality of information generated are key constraints upon the possible contribution of management development to organisational effectiveness. During 1973 and 1974, a research team from Durham University Business School surveyed management development and training practices in 30 British organisations, of various sizes and in a wide range of industries. As a part of this project, which involved interviewing senior line and specialist managers in these organisations, appraisal practices were examined—particularly in terms of their contribution to management development in these organisations. This article presents some of the findings and the authors' comments on these.

Consumer Behavior.

This case is suitable to be used in advanced undergraduate and MBA/MSc level.

This case illustrates an animal shelter’s challenge pertaining to lack of awareness among individuals with regard to animal adoption and proper treatment toward animals. Brian Teoh, the founder of a local animal shelter “We Care For You (WCFY),” was really worried by observing the situation of the animals’ vulnerability as well as pet owners’ irresponsible behavior. Overpopulation in animal shelters is a common problem. The space of the shelter is limited and not enough to take more animals to take care unless existing animals are being adopted by the pet owners. Adoption is a way to give room for other animals to be taken by animal shelters. However, most of the individuals prefer to buy rather to adopt. Moreover, potential adopters are usually selective of the animal they intend to adopt by having criteria preferences for adoption. Brian was thinking how to make people aware about the animal right and proper treatment with animals and also how to make individuals aware about the necessity to adopt rather than purchasing them. He was drowned in deep thought. Although the situation seemed not so promising, he felt determined to work on this awareness-building issue.

This objective of this case is to:

• highlight the challenges faced by the animal shelters in order to make individuals aware of the importance of adopting animals rather than purchasing them from shops;

• emphasize the importance of using social media in disseminating information nationwide; and

• the necessity to educate people about the right treatment toward animals.

highlight the challenges faced by the animal shelters in order to make individuals aware of the importance of adopting animals rather than purchasing them from shops;

emphasize the importance of using social media in disseminating information nationwide; and

the necessity to educate people about the right treatment toward animals.

IT WAS THE then Duke of Gloucester who, observing the said Mr Gibbon (of Roman Empire fame) writing, said, to quote as accurately as my reference source will allow, ‘Another damned thick square book! Always scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble! Eh! Mr Gibbon!’