13 August 2009

Study: 'Keeping the faith' boosts productivity

Your office or firm might not own or be able to afford the latest software or computers. Nevertheless, that may not impair the productivity of your workers, concludes a Tel Aviv University (TAU) study.

More important than the tools themselves is the belief in their effectiveness, said leading management specialist Professor Dov Eden of TAU’s Faculty of Management.

His advice may spare a vulnerable company the costs of expensive technology upgrades in these tough economic times or help companies smoothly transition through mergers.

For the study, Eden and his colleagues split a group of 240 physics students in half. Both groups were able to access the same online tools on the course web site, but the students in the test group were “convincingly told” how useful the tools were for course success. These students significantly outperformed their peers on exams by about five points on a 100-point scale.

“Our emphasis on the superiority of the accompanying course web site got students to believe in it and expect that it would work for them. By believing in the tools more, they used the tools more often and performed better in the course itself,” said Eden.

The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting managers can strengthen their workers’ belief in the utility of their tools to promote successful performance. The Journal of Management will soon publish the study.

Eden notes getting employees to believe in their resources can radically improve the transitions when companies go through mergers and acquisitions, especially when the different companies involved use different accounting and management systems.

“If employees believe they have competent managers supporting them, excellent equipment in their hands, and helpful staff to work with, their performance at work will be energized,” said Eden.

For related information, go to www.isa.org/productivity.