Examining the Role of Narrative Performance Appraisal Comments on Performance

Despite their prevalence in performance appraisal systems and purported importance in theory, narrative performance appraisal comments have been rarely examined. This study aimed to contribute to the literature by developing and testing a theory of quality narrative feedback. The author argues that managerial feedback that is both directive (i.e., lengthy, specific, and includes goals) and motivational (i.e., positive and high in interactional justice) would be related to year-lagged performance. Negative and positive emotions are also proposed as mediators of this relationship. Performance appraisal comments were coded for a sample of 1,019 clinical nurses. The structural equations modeling results provided preliminary evidence that feedback favorability and interactional justice demonstrated significant direct and indirect (through positive and negative emotion) effects on year-lagged employee performance.