A survey of selection practices in Irish organisations

Abstract

An investigation of levels of the use of various selection methods in Irish companies was carried out. Previous research has shown that traditional methods e.g., application forms, interviews, reference checks, are most widely used, despite the availability of more objective methods. Two hundred and thiny seven companies, forming a representative sample of small, medium and large businesses provided data, by postal survey. This study represents an important extension on previous research in this area since an attempt is made to uncover some of the reasons underlying the low level of psychological test use. Results indicated that selection methods employed by Irish companies are very similar to those in the United Kingdom. Many companies, particularly the smaller ones, lacked know ledge of more sophisticated methods while some of the more knowledgeable companies felt that tests which were not developed in Ireland were not appropriate for use in Ireland. The study elicited both quantitative and qualitative ...