Abstract
Purpose. Organizations are changing and so are the skills needed to manage in them effectively. Downsizing, merging, and reengineering, have increased the need to identify the behavioral process through which occupational effectiveness actually occurs in work settings. This research analyzed the use of the META 360-degree feedback evaluation as a significant metric in measuring manager competency in the public sector. Theoretical framework. Attribution Theory research is linked to META 360 (multi-rater feedback evaluations), behavioral change, and occupational outcomes. Public sector managers operate within three distinct environments (1) organization, (2) team, and (3) personal. Distinct competencies within these three realms can determine manager effectiveness in the workplace. Methodology. Qualitative and quantitative research includes secondary data from pretest and posttest psychometric employee evaluations, employee survey, and employee interview from human resource personnel on political and administrative views of META 360. A multi-source analysis combines research questions, literature review, research model, attribution theory, and practitioner expertise. Parametric testing of twelve independent variables was confirmed by using a Hotelling's "T" and Cronbach's Alpha. Findings. Managerial effectiveness improved over a two-year period. The findings for overall composite gain scores was significant (p < .05). Five competencies improved at significant levels: external awareness, HR management, financial/material, communication, and interpersonal skill. Conclusions and recommendations. Multi-rater feedback evaluation (META 360) is a tool to provide specific employee feedback from supervisors, peers, and subordinates that are measured against one's (self) own perceptions. This feedback forms the basis for behavioral change and in this case, made a difference in occupational outcomes. Recommendations for future research include: perfecting evaluation tools, expansion of evaluation tools to other agencies and peer networking opportunities.