Electronic performance monitoring: A review of research issues

It is suggested that future EPM research should describe in greater detail the work environment, the job tasks, and the organizational climate of monitored and non-monitored workers to determine whether these groups are comparable with respect to these factors, and that observed outcomes are not misattributed to EPM.

Abstract

The research literature on electronic performance monitoring (EPM) has attributed different outcomes to monitoring, including improved worker performance, reduced job satisfaction and increased job stress. A variety of research methods (case study, cross-sectional and laboratory designs) has been utilized to study these effects of EPM. In this paper, these methods are reviewed, and the results of several studies are summarized. The existing literature often does not clearly specify what is meant by monitoring. Future research on outcomes associated with monitoring should describe carefully the type of monitoring technology and system used - who does the monitoring, when it is done, and what aspect of performance is monitored. It is further suggested that future EPM research should describe in greater detail the work environment, the job tasks, and the organizational climate of monitored and non-monitored workers to determine whether these groups are comparable with respect to these factors, and that observed outcomes are not misattributed to EPM.