posted on 2022-03-09, 01:59authored byJohn Chapman
The need for better practices in recruitment and team formation is evident in both the private and public sector, as both sectors become more competitive. To maximise employee productivity, the selection of individuals for specific job types and the placement of them with other employees demand careful consideration. This paper examines the use of a behaviour -based personality test, the Team Management Index (TMI) which identifies preferred work styles in individuals. The Index was applied to three generic positions in a public research and development organisation. The positions were research scientist, extension officer and technician. Preferred workstyles of the most outstanding operatives in each of these three position types showed that a clear model exists for technicians, which might be used in recruitment and placement. No single clear workstyle model was found to exist for research scientists or extension officers. An analysis of psychological subscales showed that good scientists were more often introverted rather than extroverted and analytical rather than belief orientated. Good technicians were more often introverted in preference to extroverted, practical rather than
creative, analytical rather than belief orientated and structured rather than flexible in their approach to work. Good extension officers showed no significant preferences on the psychological subscales. The less complex a job's requirements the more effective the TMI appears to be for recruitment.