Evaluating the Performance Improvement Preferences of Disability Service Managers: An Exploratory Study Using Gilbert's Behavior Engineering Model.
BACKGROUND
Front-line managers play an important role in managing the performance of staff working in services for people with intellectual disability, but little is known about the practices they prefer to use to improve staff performance and whether these align with what research has shown to be effective.


METHODS
This study comprised two phases. First, the present authors tested the validity and reliability of a short questionnaire designed to evaluate managers' preferences for performance improvement practices. Then, the present authors collected and analysed responses from 175 managers working in disability services in Queensland, Australia.


RESULTS
The questionnaire demonstrated good content validity, concurrent validity and test-retest reliability. The participants believed strategies related to changing employee individual characteristics to be more effective than strategies aimed at improving environmental factors.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides important considerations regarding the professional development needs of front-line managers working in organizations that provide services to people with intellectual disability.
School of Education, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
John R
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9255-7874
JR
Wooderson
School of Education, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
Monica
M
Cuskelly
School of Education, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
Kim A
KA
Meyer
D017028:Caregivers; D002658:Developmental Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D058996:Quality Improvement
developmental disability; intellectual disability; performance improvement; staff management; staff performance