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EFFECTS OF DELEGATED CHOICE ON PERFORMANCE
Author(s) -
COSIER RICHARD A.,
APLIN JOHN C.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
personnel psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.076
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1744-6570
pISSN - 0031-5826
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6570.1980.tb00485.x
Subject(s) - delegation , task (project management) , selection (genetic algorithm) , scheduling (production processes) , psychology , process (computing) , computer science , accounting , operations research , operations management , economics , management , artificial intelligence , mathematics , operating system
The delegation process has not been subjected to adequate scientific examination. This study examines the effects of delegated choice over scheduling of activities (ordering of events) and over selection of goals (degree of challenge). Subjects made financial predictions based upon accounting data as input. Prediction accuracy was the dependent measure. Interestingly, under some conditions, delegation of choice over scheduling activities backfired. There were initial positive effects, however, from delegating choice over the selection of goals. Clearly the aspect of the task being delegated appears important. One cannot assume allowing others choice over some aspects of the task will be associated with positive outcomes.