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Realizing the potential of empowerment: the impact of a feedback intervention on the performance of complex technology.
- Source :
-
Ergonomics [Ergonomics] 2001 Jul 15; Vol. 44 (9), pp. 870-86. - Publication Year :
- 2001
-
Abstract
- An empowerment initiative involving enhanced fault-management responsibility for operators of complex technology had not led to expected increases in performance, and investigations suggested that this was due to a lack of appropriate feedback. Thus, a feedback intervention was designed to provide specific, timely feedback on operator-correctable faults. It was hypothesized that the intervention would increase operator self-reliance in operating complex technology and promote system performance. Moreover, given the feedback was continuous from the point of intervention, it was predicted that gains would increase over time. Time series analysis of data on engineer call-outs (self-reliance) and machine utilization (performance) showed clear positive effects of the feedback intervention, with call-outs also showing progressive improvement. Self-report data showed no change over time in motivation, but an increase in knowledge dissemination and a reduction in the likelihood of making expensive mistakes. There were no detrimental effects on operator well being. Implications for theory and practice in the management of complex technology are discussed.
- Subjects :
- Data Collection
Employee Performance Appraisal statistics & numerical data
Feedback
Humans
Knowledge of Results, Psychological
Organizational Innovation
Paper
Psychology, Industrial methods
Psychology, Industrial statistics & numerical data
Staff Development methods
United Kingdom
Efficiency, Organizational
Employee Performance Appraisal methods
Self Efficacy
Technology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0014-0139
- Volume :
- 44
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Ergonomics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 11560367
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130118918