Problems and pitfalls in using capital budgeting and financial accounting techniques in assessing the utility of personnel programs

Abstract

In recent years, it has been advocated that capital budgeting and financial accounting techniques be used in evaluating the utility of human resources programs such as selection, training, and performance appraisal (Cronshaw & Alexander, 1985; Boudreau, 1983a, 1983b). We have demonstrated that many of these methods are often conceptually and logically inappropriate. We also showed that even in cases in which these techniques are logically applicable, their use may have unintended negative consequences. Finally, we discussed the question of the appropriate conceptual definition of utility. We conclude that different conceptual definitions of utility are useful under different circumstances; there is no single "correct" definition of utility. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)