“…Lawler et al (1984) suggest that whilst current thinking about effective human resources management partly explains the widespread use of appraisal systems, growing concern about productivity and the legal issues surrounding race, sex and age discrimination are factors of equal importance. A study of a large international manufacturing company suggested that the reasons for a review of the existing appraisal system was that 'explosive' growth and substantial reorganization 'had placed severe strains on the managerial stock', leading to a decision to 'audit' management development (Lusher and James, 1981).…”