Evaluation of feedback sources as a function of role and organizational level

Abstract

Asked 26 supervisors and 63 subordinates (all males; mean age 45 yrs) in a metropolitan transit authority to rate the usefulness of 6 sources of feedback (e.g., formal rewards, verbal comments) for the subordinates' job. A 3-way ANOVA (role, job level, source of feedback) indicated that the value of the source did not vary as a function of rank in the organization, but supervisors consistently underestimated the importance subordinates attached to feedback from the task, comparisons to the work of others, and co-worker's comments. They overestimated the importance of formal rewards, informal assignments, and comments from the boss. (18 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)