| dc.description.abstract | This research attempts to explore the
conception of Individual Work Performance (IWP)
construct among construction, IT, and
manufacturing industries in Sri Lanka. Focus group
discussions using 50 respondents, 5 interviews,
and 108 responses for a brief questionnaire were
used for the analysis. The majority was found
conceptualizing IWP as the capacity to keep
producing desired results where capacity was
interpreted as future potential with predictive
nature. Behaviours were preferred as performance
in both construction and manufacturing industries
while results were regarded predominantly as
performance in the IT industry. Indifference
towards multidimensionality of IWP in
conceptualizing the said construct was observed,
which could be a potential reason for
methodological deficiencies in designing and
executing performance management systems in Sri
Lankan organizations. Performance was mainly
viewed as a static phenomenon as over 75%
measured performance annually or bi-annually.
IWP was viewed as a predictive measure in the
selected industries while the composite criteria of
measuring performance were mostly found
inadequate and far from global standards.
Performance measuring mainly serves as a
feedback mechanism than developmental or
administrative purposes. The author presented a
simplified model of the IWP construct using the
existing literature while at the end proposed a
model to conceptualize the meaning of IWP using
research findings. It was revealed how we perceive
IWP, and the instruments used to measure the
same are mutually inclusive. More inclusive
research on the multidimensionality of IWP,
appropriate composite criteria, and the right mix of
behaviour and result could be considered as future
research areas. | en_US |
