Title: Reactions to 360° feedback: the role of trust and trust-related variables

Authors: Nanine Van Gennip, David Gijbels, Mien Segers, Harm Tillema

Addresses: Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Science, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, The Netherlands. ' Institute for Education and Information Sciences, University of Antwerp, Venusstraat 35, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium. ' Department of Educational Research and Development, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. ' Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Science, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands

Abstract: One of the most significant changes within the workplace over the past decades has been the growing emphasis on the development of competencies rather than specific job skills. This change has resulted in an increased use of multiple-rater feedback systems such as 360° feedback, which is the focus of this article. The aim of this study is to provide insight into the factors that contribute to employees| perceived reactions to 360° feedback. In this study we focus specifically on a developmental use of the assessment instrument, arguing that trust mediates interpersonal variables, such as psychological safety, value diversity, and interdependence when we consider the outcome of a developmental assessment. Furthermore, conceptions of assessment and the transparency of the process of 360° feedback are expected to affect employees| reactions to assessment. Results reveal that both trust in the self and trust in the other as assessor act as mediator variables, and as such they are significant predictors of reactions to 360° feedback. Conceptions, transparency, and the interpersonal factors of psychological safety, value diversity, and interdependence in turn are predictors of trust in the self and the other.

Keywords: 360-degrees feedback; employee assessment; interpersonal factors; human resources development; HRD; workplace learning; employee perceptions; employee reactions; perceived reactions; trust; psychological safety; value diversity; interdependence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2010.036088

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2010 Vol.10 No.4, pp.362 - 379

Published online: 18 Oct 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article