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Demystifying productivity and performance

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  • Stefan Tangen

Abstract

Purpose - Examines the ways in which the concepts of “productivity” and “performance” are dealt with in the literature, demonstrating that terms used within these fields are often vaguely defined and poorly understood. Design/methodology/approach - Reviews related performance literature from the past 30 years (of both an academic and a practical nature). Findings - Clarifies the meaning of five terms (productivity, performance, profitability, efficiency, effectiveness) and shows how they are inter‐related. Research limitations/implications - The creation of a common grammar is not an easy task; one must therefore still accept the fact that people will continue to interpret the terms described in this paper in slightly various ways. Practical implications - Measurement and improvement regimes are often built without a clear understanding of what is being measured or improved. This can be regarded as simply a pragmatic approach to improvement, or a missed opportunity to fully understand and then optimise important factors relating to competitiveness and success. Originality/value - The paper creates a terminology that reduces the existing confusion within the field. Certainly, within academia and industry, a shared vocabulary and grammar are helpful in ensuring rigorous and robust development of shared understanding.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Tangen, 2005. "Demystifying productivity and performance," International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 54(1), pages 34-46, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:ijppmp:17410400510571437
    DOI: 10.1108/17410400510571437
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Tuomas Korhonen & Virpi Sillanpää & Aki Jääskeläinen, 2023. "Anchor practices that guide horizontal performance measurement: an interventionist case study of the financial aspect of new technology implementation in healthcare," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 27(3), pages 787-816, September.
    2. Kristina Galjanić & Ivan Marović & Tomaš Hanak, 2023. "Performance Measurement Framework for Prediction and Management of Construction Investments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Fatih YEGUL & Atif ACIKGOZ & Zaur KAZIMOV, 2022. "Impact Of Working From Home On Productivity & Performance, Evidence From North American Logistics Industry During Covid-19 Pandemic," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 2(2), pages 289-303, December.
    4. Nadia Abdelhamid Abdelmegeed Abdelwahed & Mohammed A. Al Doghan, 2023. "Developing Employee Productivity and Performance through Work Engagement and Organizational Factors in an Educational Society," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-18, March.
    5. Surajit Bahulikar & Arundhati Chattopadhyay & Manoj Hudnurkar, 2023. "Framework for Integrating Lean Thinking with Industry 4.0: Way Ahead for Entrepreneurs in Indian MSME’s," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 32(2), pages 271-306, July.
    6. Sue Williamson & Helen Taylor & Vindhya Weeratunga, 2024. "Working from home during COVID‐19: What does this mean for the ideal worker norm?," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(2), pages 456-471, March.

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