Rank less, bond more: rethinking performance feedback

A new study from Cornell SC Johnson College of Business reveals that sharing performance information among employees can foster cooperation, but only if the circumstances are right.

The research, conducted by Xinyu Zhang, assistant professor at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, part of SC Johnson College, adds a new dimension to the understanding of workplace motivation, showing that performance feedback isn't just about driving individual effort; it can also shape team dynamics.

The paper, "The Effects of Relative Performance Information on Subsequent Cooperation," appears in the latest issue of Contemporary Accounting Research. The findings come from two experiments designed to explore how relative performance information (RPI) or data showing how individuals perform compared to others affects social bonding and cooperation.

Read the full story on the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business website.

Sarah Magnus-Sharpe is director of public relations and communications at the SC Johnson College of Business.