ON THE INTERCHANGEABILITY OF OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE MEASURES OF EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: A META‐ANALYSIS

TLDR

Earlier work suggested objective and subjective performance measures could be interchangeable, but that conclusion was based on a limited sample. The study calls for future research to clarify the dimensionality of employee performance. The meta‑analysis found a modest positive correlation (.389) between objective and subjective performance ratings, but the relationship was weak and consistent across subgroups, indicating the two measures should not be used interchangeably.

Abstract

A meta‐analysis of studies containing both objective and subjective ratings of employee performance resulted in a corrected mean correlation of .389. This value, although significantly greater than zero, indicates that objective and subjective performance measures should not be used interchangeably. Moreover, in no moderator subgroup examined did the correlation suggest convergent validity. After discussing issues related to resolving the previous anomalies of primary and meta‐analytic results, a secondary analysis suggested that objective and subjective measures of the same construct at the same level may be used inter‐changeably. The secondary analysis, however, was based on a very limited sample. Future research should address the appropriate dimensionality of employee performance.