Employee Ranking Systems LO17086

Dr. Steve Eskow (dreskow@magicnet.net)
Wed, 18 Feb 1998 22:14:34 -0500

Replying to LO17067 --

I would very much like to have subject to critical discussion John
Constantine's contention that ranking systems "bring(st) fear to the
workplace."

My own experience in education and industry would confirm John's
conclusions, and I am wondering if there is research supporting this
position, or its opposite.

My own hunch is that the rigourous ranking system is a vestige of the
early factory system--and that knowledge-based organizations perform
better in a collegial rather than a competitive environment.

Steve Eskow

Dr. Steve Eskow
President, The Pangaea Network
288 Stone Island Road
Enterprise, Florida 32725
Phone: 407-321-8770; Fax: 407-321-4861
http://www.durand.com/pangaea
dreskow@durand.com

>Among the dangers of rating and ranking lie the potential for "branding"
>which comes with them. One should recall the Pygmalion and Halo effects,
>both of which are part and parcel of past and present actions by
>management. This is true in public, private, industry and education. So,
>there is more to this "genie" than merely the little harm he does to the
>few, much more. This genie brings fear to the workplace and fear is no
>able motivator.

-- 

"Dr. Steve Eskow" <dreskow@magicnet.net>

Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>