The Social Context of Performance Appraisal: A Review and Framework for the Future

Abstract

Performance appraisal research over the last 10 years has begun to examine the effects of the social context on the appraisal process. Drawing from previous theoretical work, we developed a model of this process and conducted a systematic review of the relevant research. This review of over 300 articles suggests that as a field we have become much more cognizant of the importance of the social context within which the performance appraisal process operates. First, research has broadened the traditional conceptualization of performance appraisal effectiveness to include and emphasize ratee reactions. Second, the influence that the feedback environment or feedback culture has on performance appraisal outcomes is an especially recent focus that seems to have both theoretical and applied implications. Finally, there appears to be a reasonably large set of distal variables such as technology, HR strategies, and economic conditions that are potentially important for understanding the appraisal process, but which have received very little research attention. We believe that the focus of recent performance appraisal research has widespread implications ranging from theory development and enhancement to practical application.

Importance of system and leadership in performance appraisal

“…Consequently, taken into account the premise that teachers learn from what they do, teacher participation in teacher performance appraisal can actually stimulate the learning of teachers (Danielson and McGreal, 2000). In this regard, Levy and Williams (2004) suggest more research is needed to specify the effects of participation in the performance appraisal process. Also, Cawley, Keeping and Levy (1998) argue for more research regarding participation in performance appraisal focusing on different types of participation.…”

“…Moreover, teacher performance appraisal research should take into consideration context variables (e.g. leadership variables) because these variables may influence teacher reactions to their performance appraisal (Nathan, Mohrman and Milliman, 1991;Levy and Williams, 2004).…”

A Review of the Influencing Factors of Ratee Performance Appraisal Satisfaction

“…Levy and Williams (2004) argue that superiority trust as a proximal variable has a direct impact on the appraisal reaction [1]. When the assessor perceives the superior's trust, it will better cooperate with the rater's work.…”

“…Therefore contextual factors have an important impact on performance appraisal. The context factor is a social oriented or relational oriented structure, affecting employee cognition process [1]. The relationship between raters and ratees is an important social context factor [6].…”

“…Also, employee's reaction to performance appraisal is an important means to test the effectiveness of the performance appraisal system. Therefore, the response of the performance appraisal process has gradually attracted the attention of scholars [1]. For example, Iqbal (2015) made an integration model to emphasize the importance of the employee appraisal reaction.…”