The validation of an assessment centre in Asia

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to assess the validity of an assessment centre (AC) designed for the promotional purposes of police officers, conducted in the Asian context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study included 128 police officers of whom criterion data was available for 49 officers. They all took part in an established AC.

Findings

The overall AC rating was significantly related to both overall training performance (r=0.58, p<0.01) and estimated leadership potential data (r=0.25, p<0.05), both collected two years subsequent to the promotion process. Analyses further supported the situational specificity of the AC design; with particular exercises and performance traits underlying the predictive value of the AC. It also showed the incremental validity of the AC methodology over and above personality measures.

Social implications

The study supports the continual usage of the AC methodology across cultural contexts.

Originality/value

As far as we know this research has not been done in this part of the world.

Citation

Furnham, A. and Toh, S.M. (2015), "The validation of an assessment centre in Asia", Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, Vol. 7 No. 1, pp. 20-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJBA-08-2013-0082