Improving Performance in the Public Sector through Behavior Modification and Positive Reinforcement

Improving performance in the public sector is an increasing concern of the federal, state, and local governments. The use of quantitative performance indices that change through before and after measures is a valid criterion for success. In a case study of one federal agancy, the primary technique u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public personnel management 1979-03, Vol.8 (2), p.101-110
Main Authors: Schneier, Craig E., Pernick, Robert, Bryant, David E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior modification
Case studies
Human resource management
Improvements
Positive
Positive reinforcement
Public sector
Reinforcements
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Summary:Improving performance in the public sector is an increasing concern of the federal, state, and local governments. The use of quantitative performance indices that change through before and after measures is a valid criterion for success. In a case study of one federal agancy, the primary technique used to improve performance in the work setting was behavior modification and positive reinforcement. Behavior Modification (BMod) is a model used to help the behavior of workers in complex organizations. BMod utilizes positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment as strategies for changing behavior. The case study demonstrated significant, quantifiable performance improvement and cost reduction through the use of BMod. Considerable positive change was noted by training supervisors in BMod, by identifying key work outputs, by setting specific perforamnce standards, by designing individual feedback forms, and by implementing other BMod concepts. Training techniques can be effective when emphasizing direct, observable, and quantifiable behavior change.
ISSN:0091-0260
1945-7421
DOI:10.1177/009102607900800205