Utility Analysis: Its Evolution and Tenuous Role in Human Resource Management Decision Making

Skarlicki, Daniel P., Latham, Gary P., Whyte, Glen, Revue Canadienne des Sciences de l'Administration

Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychologists have long considered it a worthwhile endeavour to try to quantify the value of the contribution of I/O psychology to organizational effectiveness. Utility analysis is a technique that attempts to achieve this objective by providing a way to forecast the net financial benefits of scientifically-based human resource (HR) initiatives. More generally, utility analysis "provides a way of thinking about HR decisions that makes facts, assumptions, and beliefs behind decisions more explicit, systematic, and rational" (Boudreau, 1991, p. 126). As such, utility analysis is considered by many to be a useful tool for management in deciding whether to …

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Publication information: Article title: Utility Analysis: Its Evolution and Tenuous Role in Human Resource Management Decision Making. Contributors: Skarlicki, Daniel P. - Author, Latham, Gary P. - Author, Whyte, Glen - Author. Journal title: Revue Canadienne des Sciences de l'Administration. Volume: 13. Issue: 1 Publication date: March 1996. Page number: 13+. © Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Dec 1996. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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