Interim managers: Distinguishing personality characteristics of managers on short-term contracts

The use of interim managers by companies is increasing, and reasons for thi s trend are discussed, A study is reported in which the normative personali ty make-up of a group of interim managers is compared with that of a genera l sample of UK managers. Ninety-four interim managers completed the revised PA Preference Inventory (PAPI-N) and the results are compared with those f rom a general UK managerial sample. Statistically significant differences a re reported for 12 out of 20 scales, with nine of the effect sizes > 0.5. R esults are also compared with a priori job expert predictions. Of nine pred ictions that interim managers would differ from the general management norm , seven are consistent with the statistical findings. Practical and methodo logical implications of the findings, and their relation to the 'Big Five', are discussed, together with broader implications for the study of workers in new and emerging forms of employment. The findings are also interpreted in the particular context of interim management roles.