Assessing Performance Management Systems from Employees’ Perspectives: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

This paper focuses on the perceptions and experiences of employees in two different large organisations related to Performance Management Systems (PMS) in their respective organisations. Drawing on individual employee interview data, the research paper presents a comparative assessment of PMS and reports the interpretation of employee data under various themes pertaining to design and implementation considerations. The results suggest that PMS perceptions vary due to design anomalies and an incongruity in the implementation of PMS practices which has a bearing on the effectiveness and strength of the system. In considering PMS theory and practices, organisation intentions and actions, the paper seeks to engage in debates emerging on the organisation’s dependence on PMS process for achieving goals and also developing employees.