PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT (HRM3706)
ASSIGNMENT 01 (SEMESTER 1) (2018)
Assignment 01 (Semester 1)
Study chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 together with the corresponding workbooks in the study guide)
Due date Unique number
13 March 2018 847212
Read the following scenario and answer questions 1 and 2.
After many years of looking for a job, Nancy was appointed as a cashier at Coperite Cash and Carry, one
of the big retail stores in her village. One of the rules emphasised in her appointment file is that of
punctuality. She is also expected to be good in calculations because as a cashier she will be counting
money all the time. Another expectation is to wear a smile for customers all the time.
QUESTION 1
Identify the approach of measuring performance that can be used to measure Nancy’s performance.
1 trait approach
2 behaviour approach
3 results approach
4 quantity
The correct answer is There are three main approaches used to measure employee performance, namely
option 2. the trait, behaviour and results approaches.
Refer to your Option 2 is correct, since Nancy is expected to be punctual, wear a smile for
prescribed book: customers all the time, and be competent with calculations. All these are observable
Chapter 4 behaviours that will be assessed when her performance is reviewed.
Option 1 is incorrect. The trait approach focuses more on the attributes of individuals,
which are natural and stable, than on what an employees do in their job. Two
examples of such attributes are cognitive abilities and personality. Individuals are
born with these attributes and they cannot be changed by training. Can you come up
with more examples? Read books on organisational behaviour to find out more about
individuals’ natural attributes (those they are born with). Since the scenario clearly
states what is expected in Nancy’s position, she will be assessed on how well she
displays the expected competencies.
Option 3 is incorrect. The results approach focuses on what is produced (eg, the
number of sales and how many clients are assisted). In other words, this approach is
concerned with the outcome as the main evidence of employee performance. This
approach is therefore not suitable for evaluating Nancy’s performance because what
is expected from her cannot be counted in numbers.
Option 4 is incorrect. Quantity on its own is not a performance measuring approach. It
is, however, one of the yardsticks to gauge how many items were produced or sold
when the results approach is followed. As explained in the previous paragraph, this
cannot be applied to Nancy’s performance.
ASSIGNMENT 01 (SEMESTER 1) (2018)
Assignment 01 (Semester 1)
Study chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 together with the corresponding workbooks in the study guide)
Due date Unique number
13 March 2018 847212
Read the following scenario and answer questions 1 and 2.
After many years of looking for a job, Nancy was appointed as a cashier at Coperite Cash and Carry, one
of the big retail stores in her village. One of the rules emphasised in her appointment file is that of
punctuality. She is also expected to be good in calculations because as a cashier she will be counting
money all the time. Another expectation is to wear a smile for customers all the time.
QUESTION 1
Identify the approach of measuring performance that can be used to measure Nancy’s performance.
1 trait approach
2 behaviour approach
3 results approach
4 quantity
The correct answer is There are three main approaches used to measure employee performance, namely
option 2. the trait, behaviour and results approaches.
Refer to your Option 2 is correct, since Nancy is expected to be punctual, wear a smile for
prescribed book: customers all the time, and be competent with calculations. All these are observable
Chapter 4 behaviours that will be assessed when her performance is reviewed.
Option 1 is incorrect. The trait approach focuses more on the attributes of individuals,
which are natural and stable, than on what an employees do in their job. Two
examples of such attributes are cognitive abilities and personality. Individuals are
born with these attributes and they cannot be changed by training. Can you come up
with more examples? Read books on organisational behaviour to find out more about
individuals’ natural attributes (those they are born with). Since the scenario clearly
states what is expected in Nancy’s position, she will be assessed on how well she
displays the expected competencies.
Option 3 is incorrect. The results approach focuses on what is produced (eg, the
number of sales and how many clients are assisted). In other words, this approach is
concerned with the outcome as the main evidence of employee performance. This
approach is therefore not suitable for evaluating Nancy’s performance because what
is expected from her cannot be counted in numbers.
Option 4 is incorrect. Quantity on its own is not a performance measuring approach. It
is, however, one of the yardsticks to gauge how many items were produced or sold
when the results approach is followed. As explained in the previous paragraph, this
cannot be applied to Nancy’s performance.
