Investigating the role of performance appraisals in improving employee performance and achieving organizational goals in the financial sector in Qatar

Abstract

Performance management and performance appraisals have long been recognised as important aspects of modern management. Theories of managerial control, goal setting and equity highlight the importance of effective performance appraisal as a way to drive success and achieve organisational financial goals. However, these theories and the associated studies primarily take place in developed western contexts, with limited studies in the Middle East.

The research main aim is to explore and understand the role and impact of the current performance appraisals systems in the banking industry in Qatar on employees’ performance.

The research objectives are to explore the impact of performance appraisal systems on employee motivation and organizational performance and to analyse data in order to understand the role of performance appraisal systems in employee performance in the financial sector in Qatar. To meet the research aims and objectives, and in line with the interpretive research philosophy, the proposed research has applied a qualitative approach. This study contributes to understanding in this area by carrying out 42 interviews with employees from 14 banks in Qatar. Analysis of the findings indicates that effective performance appraisals, driven by clear objectives and linked to SMART goals and financial rewards are effective at employee performance and achieving organizational goals in the financial sector in Qatar. However, the findings also highlight issues around a reliance on limited and narrow quantitative objectives, and a lack of flexibility and nuance in the performance appraisal setting in Qatar, thus necessitating further development and improvement in this context.

Date of Award	30 Apr 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Northumbria University
Supervisor	Imane El Hakimi (Supervisor) & Yevhen Baranchenko (Supervisor)