Effects of goal setting and supervision on worker behavior in an industrial situation

Abstract

Investigated the effects of goal setting by supervisors on 4 performance criteria. A factor analysis of a questionnaire administered to 292 pulpwood producers indicated that goal setting is correlated with high productivity and a low number of injuries only when it is accompanied by supervision. Goal setting without immediate supervision was related to employee turnover. Supervision alone did not correlate with any performance criterion. No relationship was found between the 2 job behaviors and absenteeism. The factor analysis results pertaining to productivity were partially corroborated in a 2nd study involving data collected from 892 additional producers. (24 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)