10.11. SUMMARY

In summary, regardless of the many problems associated with implementing a meaningful performance appraisal system in an R&D organization, a system for performance appraisal that focuses on employee "contribution" to the organization is indeed needed to enhance organizational productivity and effectiveness. A performance appraisal system can be used to achieve organizational and individual goal congruence and organizational excellence. The vexing problem of dealing with poor performers or problem individuals, sometimes caused by a lack of employee ability or by the organization structure, is not easily handled.

Discussions here have focused on providing a basic understanding of problems and issues related to performance appraisal in R&D organizations, where possible ideas to overcome these problems were presented. The chapter culminated with a discussion of individual researcher performance dependency, performance appraisal purpose, and performance appraisal strategy that focuses on researcher contribution to the organization.