Effectiveness Of Open Performance Review And Appraisal Systems (OPRAS) In Public Service: A Case Of President’s Office Public Service Management (PO-PSM)

ABSTRACT

This study investigated on the effectiveness of OPRAS in the Public Service, specifically, the study intended to understand the perceptions of the users of OPRAS at PO-PSM to evaluate effectiveness of the performance review and appraisal system in use at PO-PSM and to find out, factors hindering the effectiveness of performance appraisal at PO-PSM. The study employed a case study design and collected data from ordinary employees and top management. Questionnaires for the ordinary employees and interviews for the management were employed for data collection. Data obtained, were then analysed by using both qualitative and quantitative ways. The study has found out that, OPRAS application is well known to the employees and is currently the appropriate way to evaluate employees’ performance. It further revealed that OPRAS provided a high degree of involvement of employees during the evaluation process, where there is openness and transparency during the employees’ evaluation. The attitudes or perception of employees towards OPRAS at PO-PSM, were quite positive therefore rendering it a suitable appraisal system for the Public Service. The study further revealed that, OPRAS is currently effective in providing feedback of the employees’ performance thus, providing opportunities for various interventions to be taken so as to improve the employees’ performance. Furthermore the study identified factors that affect the effectiveness of OPRAS, as the design of the system, poor budgetary allocation to activities measurable under OPRAS, lack of incentives tied to OPRAS, poor planning of activities and of training in the use of OPRAS.