Abstract:
Performance appraisals have become crucial in the administration of organizations globally, and it is often the most significant consideration to determine whether to promote an employee. While success in the present job does not necessarily mean that the employee will be an effective performer in a higher-level job, performance appraisals provide some predictive information that can be used to identify employee’s strengths and weaknesses. As a result, performance appraisals have become a powerful tool for increasing motivation and improving work practices if done in an open, constructive and supportive manner. In light with this, the study sought to evaluate the impact of performance appraisal on the performance of employees at the Takoradi Branch of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). The study employed a quantitative approach with a blend of correlational and regression techniques in estimating the relationship. The population constituted the workers at COCOBOD, from which a sample of 160 respondents were purposively selected. The results from the study confirms the existence of a significant and positive relationship between performance appraisal and employee performance. The study identified the challenges of performance appraisal to include the absence of a criteria for appraising employees, the nonexistence of a predetermined system for tracking the performance of employees for the purpose of the appraisal exercise. The study recommends that management endeavour to address the challenges of the appraisal exercise to make it more effective.
