Date of Award

4-2004

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. John Austin

Second Advisor

Dr. Richard Malott

Third Advisor

Dr. Ayce Dickinson

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Damodar Golhar

Abstract

Organizational leaders know that the success of their organization depends on the organization's ability to either produce better products or produce equally good products at a lower cost to consumers. Interventions aimed at improving organizational performance stem from two primary perspectives. One perspective emphasizes changing system factors (e.g., equipment and processes) and the other perspective emphasizes changing human performance factors (e.g., performance specifications and behavioral consequences). The current study evaluated the comparative and contributive effects of process improvement techniques (Kock, 1999; Melan, 1992; Rummler & Brache, 1995) and human performance improvement techniques (Daniels, 1989; Gilbert, 1996; Rummler & Brache, 1995), using a simulated work task with 48 college undergraduates as participants. The results indicate a main effect associated with a change in work process (i.e., a supposed streamlining of the work process) and a main effect of a behavioral intervention package. The largest effects were observed when a process change was implemented in combination with a behavioral intervention package. The implications of using a combined approach are discussed and topics for future researchers in this field are presented.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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