Consistency of performance under stable conditions of work

Abstract

Weekly production data were obtained over a 3½-yr period from a group of 27 women sewing-machine operators and a group of 19 women in folding and packaging jobs. Average intercorrelations ( r̄ ) computed between work periods separated by time intervals ( K ) ranging from 1–278 wks revealed an orderly decline in the magnitude of r̄ as K assumed larger values. For both groups, the regression of r̄ on K can be described by an equation of hyperbolic form with an added constant. The constant serves as an estimate of an asymptotic level approached by r̄ as the interval between production periods increased. Subsequent analyses indicated that a major portion of the correlation between production periods was attributable to week-to-week stability in absolute levels of output. Factors believed to contribute to the consistency of performance data are discussed. (14 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)