DO EXERCISES OR DIMENSIONS EXPLAIN THE VARIANCE IN OVERALL ASSESSMENT RATINGS IN A CALL CENTER BASED ASSESSMENT CENTER?

Abstract

This study addressed the on-going question of whether trait-based dimensions or task-based dimensions best explain the variance in the Overall Assessment Ratings (OARs) in Assessment Centers (ACs) by using Confirmatory Factor Analysis to compare the fit of three theoretical models. Participants took part in several phone calls, in which they were interviewed and engaged in role-play scenarios to elicit behavioral data and were then rated on trait-based dimensions by a single assessor. The data collected was then used to test models in which trait-based dimensions, task-based dimensions, and one-general dimension were predicted to explain the variance in OARs. The trait-based and one-general dimension models had a poor fit, while the task-based dimension model resulted in an acceptable fit with the data. The results suggest a need to re-evaluate AC design methodology, with a focus on job relevant tasks rather than job relevant traits.