ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL, FROM ASSESSMENT-CENTERS TO DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

Are organizations interested in realizing the potential of their emplo yees? How far have they progressed in utilizing performance assessment instruments for developmental purposes? There is a growing need for r edirecting organizations towards greater knowledge productivity and us ing the competencies of their employees in a knowledge-productive way. Development centers provide possibilities for analyzing and diagnosin g the relevant competencies of personnel whilst at the same time, prov iding a match with further development. This study examines managers' attitudes towards assessment centers and their potential to be used fo r developmental purposes. The problems and processes involved in using assessment centers in this way were studied within a representative s et of large, Dutch organizations. In addition, the conceptions of mana gement and the implementation conditions needed for the introduction o f development centers were examined. The advantages of development cen ters as a knowledge-productive tool for assessment in organizations ar e discussed to help managers decide about developmental programs.