Handbook of Organizational Measurement

TLDR

The handbook focuses on work organizations—social systems where members work for money—and addresses the standardization of measurements and labels for commonly used concepts in this field. It serves as a reference handbook and research tool aimed at improving measurement in work organization studies and facilitating introductory course instruction. The handbook defines measurement, distinguishes nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio levels, selects 38 key concepts, and evaluates each measure for quality, diversity, simplicity, availability, validity, and reliability. It concludes with a review of the past 30 years of organizational measurement and offers recommendations for future research.

Abstract

Addresses the standardization of the measurements and the labels for concepts commonly used in the study of work organizations. As a reference handbook and research tool, seeks to improve measurement in the study of work organizations and to facilitate the teaching of introductory courses in this subject. Focuses solely on work organizations, that is, social systems in which members work for money. Defines measurement and distinguishes four levels: nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio. Selects specific measures on the basis of quality, diversity, simplicity and availability and evaluates each measure for its validity and reliability. Employs a set of 38 concepts ‐ ranging from “absenteeism” to “turnover” as the handbook’s frame of reference. Concludes by reviewing organizational measurement over the past 30 years and recommending future measurement reseach.