Guilfoyle, Simon (2020) Data display as a catalyst for dysfunction in police performance management systems. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

UK police performance management systems have long been blighted by recurrent forms of behavioural dysfunction, yet little is truly known about the root causes of this phenomenon. However, strong associations between dysfunction and certain types of performance information (such as league tables) are well-documented within the literature and it is believed such incidences chiefly arise as a consequence of adverse organisational conditions.

However, the prospect that the data display format used to present performance information may be partly responsible for inducing dysfunction remains unexplored. Whilst prior studies indicate data display can influence decision-making, none have evaluated whether it might also be a direct antecedent to behavioural dysfunction. Therefore, this study explores the possibility that the visual appearance of police performance information could itself be a factor capable of triggering dysfunction.

Adopting a critical realist stance, this research employs thematic analysis and experimental psychometric testing within a mixed methods framework, to produce a robust theoretical model and original explanatory account for the phenomenon of interest: behavioural dysfunction in police performance management systems.

The thesis speaks most directly to the burgeoning body of research evaluating performance information use, but is specifically positioned in an overlap between this domain and other studies that explore implications of data display; essentially, it synthesises and contributes to both fields of literature by, for the first time, establishing firm links between data display and behavioural dysfunction.

The original contribution generated by this study substantially extends findings of prior research by identifying data display as a potent ‘standalone’ catalyst, singularly capable of triggering dysfunction; in doing do, it postulates the existence and operation of a mechanism that systematically influences performance information users’ cognitive and behavioural responses, thereby producing the phenomenon of interest.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Performance -- Management, Police -- Personnel management, Information display systems
Official Date:	2020
Dates:	Date Event 2020 UNSPECIFIED
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Business School
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Johnson, Mark (associate professor) ; Micheli, Pietro, 1978-
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	xvii, 310 leaves : illustrations, charts
Language:	eng

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