1. Relationship of Goals and Microlevel Work Processes to Performance on a Multipath Manual Task
- Author
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Audia, Giuseppe, Kristof-Brown, Amy, Brown, Kenneth G., and Locke, Edwin A.
- Subjects
Goal setting -- Psychological aspects ,Manual work -- Psychological aspects ,Task analysis -- Research ,Psychology and mental health ,Social sciences - Abstract
This laboratory experiment used real-time observation to examine the relationships among goals, work processes, and quantity and quality outcomes using a simple multipath assembly task. Trained observers were able to reliably and accurately document work processes used to perform the task, supporting the use of real-time observation for documenting microlevel task strategies. Results show that (a) work processes were affected by goal content (quantity vs. quality); (b) goal form (gradually difficult vs. fixed and difficult) did not influence outcomes or processes used; (c) work processes and personal goals completely mediated the prediction of quantity outcomes and partially mediated quality outcomes; (d) process-only goals produced a greater number of process changes than outcome goals but led to poorer performance; and (e) outcome goals had a lagged effect on performance. The implications for goal-setting theory are discussed.
- Published
- 1996