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BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT AND TASK PERFORMANCE IN ORGANIZATIONS: CONCEPTUAL BACKGROUND, META‐ANALYSIS, AND TEST OF ALTERNATIVE MODELS
Author(s) -
STAJKOVIC ALEXANDER D.,
LUTHANS FRED
Publication year - 2003
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.1744-6570.2003.tb00147.x
Subject(s) - psychology , moderation , meta analysis , task (project management) , reinforcement , social psychology , test (biology) , interaction , conceptual framework , task analysis , organizational behavior , cognitive psychology , applied psychology , computer science , machine learning , management , medicine , paleontology , philosophy , epistemology , economics , biology
In this study, we provide the conceptual background, meta‐analyze available behavioral management studies ( N = 72) in organizational settings, and examine whether combined reinforcement effects on task performance are additive (sum of individual effects), redundant (combined effects are less than the additive effects), or synergistic (combined effects are greater than the sum of the individual effects). We found a significant overall average effect size of ( d. ) = .47 (16% improvement in performance; 63% probability of success), and a significant within‐group heterogeneity of effect sizes. To account for this variation, we conducted a theory‐driven moderator analysis, which indicated that money, feedback, and social recognition each had a significant impact on task performance. However, when these 3 reinforcers were used in combination, they produced the strongest (synergistic) effect on task performance. Based on our findings, we offer directions for future research, and suggestions for effective application of behavioral management at work.