Trends in organisations and selection: an introduction

Abstract

This article introduces the special issue “Beyond psychometrics: assessment for the new millennium” and further speculates on how a number of organisational trends may influence selection practice in the future. These trends include the continuing emphasis on delayering, of selecting “core” strategic staff, of organisational fit, the impact of technology, the devolution and outsourcing of selection, the rise of teleworking, the questioning of Western assumptions alongside globalisation, and diversity. Developments in selection responses to these factors are identified, such as the popularity of assessment centres, psychometric tests, personality instruments and genetic testing. Some suggestions are made for possible future developments including whole team (or board) selection, the greater use of depth interviews, clinical tests of neurological functioning, and of virtual simulations, and the notion of the possession by individuals of a portable and verifiable assessment portfolio.

Applicant Attraction: The role of recruiter function, work–life balance policies and career salience

“…The trend to outsource HR functions has been observed globally and is expected to increase in the future (Kwiatkowski, 2003;Lepak & Snell, 1998). Surveys indicate that 93% of the firms outsource at least some HR task and that outsourcing will increase the most in future years (Cook, 1999).…”

Practitioner reactions to work‐related psychological tests

“…Various recent reviews have looked at trends and changes in the use of psychological tests (Kwiatkowski, 2003;Lievens et al, 2002;Ryan and Sackett, 1988;Silzer and Jeanneret, 2000;Te Nijenhuis et al, 2001;Van de Vijver et al, 2002); the use of new technologies (Chapman and Webster, 2003) as well as how applicants view these procedures (Hausknecht et al, 2004). Some have looked at the beliefs about professionals (i.e.…”

UK occupational/organizational psychology, applied science and applied humanism: Some further thoughts on what we have forgotten

“…We reject the suggestion that we consider the past Elysian, and we explicitly say in our paper that we are optimistic about the future. We have also made this clear elsewhere (Duncan, 2001; Kwiatkowski, 2003). In fact, we do not see the glass as half full, but rather as overflowing!…”