Are performance appraisals in the public sector fair? EXPLORING bias and best practices

This study explores biases in performance appraisal systems within Indonesian government institutions and proposes a tailored framework to address these challenges. Identified biases include confirmation, similarity, central tendency, anchoring, status quo, and leniency/severity biases, exacerbated...

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Main Authors: Agustinus Tarigan, Aurik Gustomo, Yuni Ros Bangun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Business & Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2458760
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author Agustinus Tarigan
Aurik Gustomo
Yuni Ros Bangun
author_facet Agustinus Tarigan
Aurik Gustomo
Yuni Ros Bangun
author_sort Agustinus Tarigan
collection DOAJ
description This study explores biases in performance appraisal systems within Indonesian government institutions and proposes a tailored framework to address these challenges. Identified biases include confirmation, similarity, central tendency, anchoring, status quo, and leniency/severity biases, exacerbated by political factors, bureaucratic culture, and hierarchical structures unique to Indonesia. These biases often result in appraisals reflecting political maneuvering rather than true employee performance. Using qualitative interviews and thematic analysis, the study uncovers the root causes of these biases and evaluates their impact on fairness and effectiveness. The proposed framework integrates Equity Theory, Cognitive Bias Theory, and goal-setting principles, offering solutions such as structured appraisal methods, quarterly reviews, enhanced evaluator training, and behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARS). These recommendations address the systemic issues of bias, promote transparency, and foster a fair and motivating work environment. This research uniquely contributes to the literature by focusing on Indonesia’s public sector, where cultural and political factors significantly influence performance appraisals. It provides actionable strategies for policymakers and practitioners to create appraisal systems that are fair, effective, and aligned with the organizational goals of government institutions, ultimately enhancing employee engagement and organizational performance.
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spelling doaj-art-ed915ace5a3a4942bcec5b191e57babc2025-08-20T02:38:10ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Business & Management2331-19752025-12-0112110.1080/23311975.2025.2458760Are performance appraisals in the public sector fair? EXPLORING bias and best practicesAgustinus Tarigan0Aurik Gustomo1Yuni Ros Bangun2School of Business Management, Institut Teknologi, Bandung, IndonesiaSchool of Business Management, Institut Teknologi, Bandung, IndonesiaSchool of Business Management, Institut Teknologi, Bandung, IndonesiaThis study explores biases in performance appraisal systems within Indonesian government institutions and proposes a tailored framework to address these challenges. Identified biases include confirmation, similarity, central tendency, anchoring, status quo, and leniency/severity biases, exacerbated by political factors, bureaucratic culture, and hierarchical structures unique to Indonesia. These biases often result in appraisals reflecting political maneuvering rather than true employee performance. Using qualitative interviews and thematic analysis, the study uncovers the root causes of these biases and evaluates their impact on fairness and effectiveness. The proposed framework integrates Equity Theory, Cognitive Bias Theory, and goal-setting principles, offering solutions such as structured appraisal methods, quarterly reviews, enhanced evaluator training, and behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARS). These recommendations address the systemic issues of bias, promote transparency, and foster a fair and motivating work environment. This research uniquely contributes to the literature by focusing on Indonesia’s public sector, where cultural and political factors significantly influence performance appraisals. It provides actionable strategies for policymakers and practitioners to create appraisal systems that are fair, effective, and aligned with the organizational goals of government institutions, ultimately enhancing employee engagement and organizational performance.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2458760Performance appraisalemployee developmentIndonesian public sectorbiasperformanceGroup Communication
spellingShingle Agustinus Tarigan
Aurik Gustomo
Yuni Ros Bangun
Are performance appraisals in the public sector fair? EXPLORING bias and best practices
Cogent Business & Management
Performance appraisal
employee development
Indonesian public sector
bias
performance
Group Communication
title Are performance appraisals in the public sector fair? EXPLORING bias and best practices
title_full Are performance appraisals in the public sector fair? EXPLORING bias and best practices
title_fullStr Are performance appraisals in the public sector fair? EXPLORING bias and best practices
title_full_unstemmed Are performance appraisals in the public sector fair? EXPLORING bias and best practices
title_short Are performance appraisals in the public sector fair? EXPLORING bias and best practices
title_sort are performance appraisals in the public sector fair exploring bias and best practices
topic Performance appraisal
employee development
Indonesian public sector
bias
performance
Group Communication
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2458760
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