The Role of Core Self-Evaluations in Predicting Performance Appraisal Reactions

Abstract

Although performance appraisal reactions have garnered substantial attention in recent years, research has rarely considered the role of individual differences regarding feedback responses. The findings from a sample of 250 military cadres revealed that higher core self-evaluations were positively associated with both higher satisfaction and goal commitment following the performance appraisal discussion. As expected, the opportunity to voice opinion during the appraisal discussion mediated a portion of the hypothesized relationship, suggesting that individuals with high core self-evaluations were more satisfied and motivated because they were more likely to experience having a voice during the appraisal process. Further, contrary to our hypothesis, the results revealed that core self-evaluations also moderated the relationship between voice and goal commitment in that individuals with low self-evaluations were more affected by their perceived voice than were people with high self-evaluations.