| This study addressed the need of human performance technology (HPT) practitioners to make the most cost-effective performance intervention decisions, introducing a new instrument, the Intervention Value Survey, as a possible tool to provide a clearer profile of an audience's perceptions of what provides them value. Using a mixed methods online survey, this study investigated people's perceptions about the value of different types of performance improvement approaches, and sought out correlations between demographic categories and their shared perceptions. Although generalizability was limited by response rate, results in the target population (U.S. employees of a mid-size high-tech manufacturer) showed that 50% or more of the participants had actually experienced instructor-led classroom, instructor-led distance, self-directed, online, on-the-job, and financial incentive interventions, while fewer than 50% reported experiencing non-financial incentives and job design/redesign interventions. Of the 8 types of interventions studied, on-the-job, instructor-led classroom, and financial incentive interventions had the highest mean scores and positive responses. Older age categories were correlated with increased positive value perception of instructor-led classroom learning, as was more job experience. Also, higher income levels were correlated with increased positive value perception for both financial and non-financial incentives. The greatest number of positive value examples was for instructor-led classroom and on-the-job training; for negative outcomes, online and self-directed learning received the most responses. These results suggest that the administration of this kind of instrument could provide important data to support intervention decisions within an organization, such as mitigation of perception of low value, or leverage of perception of high value, when addressing needs of different demographic groups. This type of study could also help HPT professionals understand whether their population is aware of the range of interventions they are experiencing, and how they see the outcomes of those interventions. Further, a broadly administered study could indicate perceptions and correlations in industries - or even the society at large - which could contribute to advancement of the HPT field. |
