Stretch targets: What makes them effective?

Executive Overview The intensity of competition has increased dramatically over the past two decades. This has led many organizations to develop specialized approaches to support creative problem solving and generate high levels of performance. One of these innovative approaches, stretch targets, enhances motivation, performance, and creative decision making. Yet just stretching targets will not guarantee success. Other changes in the work environment and organizational culture are also needed. Stretch targets must include work environment changes that encourage acceptance. Two factors that we call “bureaucratic immunity” and “structural accommodation” encourage this acceptance. This article views each of these concepts as essential precursors for matching reach and grasp.

[1]  Daniel J. McCarthy,et al.  A framework for leadership in a TQM context , 1996 .

[2]  Richard H. Price,et al.  Empowered Managers and Empowered Workers: The Effects of Managerial Support and Managerial Perceived Control on Workers' Sense of Control over Decision Making , 1994 .

[3]  Murray R. Barrick,et al.  Autonomy as a moderator of the relationships between the Big Five personality dimensions and job performance. , 1993 .

[4]  P. Kline,et al.  Ten Steps to a Learning Organization , 1993 .

[5]  Ian R. Gellatly,et al.  The Effects of Goal Difficulty on Physiological Arousal, Cognition, and Task Performance , 1992 .

[6]  David Lei,et al.  Management practices in learning organizations , 1992 .

[7]  Kenneth R. Thompson.  A conversation with Robert W Galvin , 1992 .

[8]  A V Feigenbaum,et al.  THE MAKING OF A WORLD CLASS CLASS I RAILROAD. , 1992 .

[9]  E. A. Locke,et al.  Self-regulation through goal setting , 1991 .

[10]  James T. Austin,et al.  Goal‐setting theory: Unexplored areas and future research needs , 1985 .

[11]  M. A. Campion,et al.  A control systems conceptualization of the goal-setting and changing process , 1982 .

[12]  E. A. Locke,et al.  Goal setting and task performance: 1969–1980. , 1981 .

[13]  E. A. Locke.  Toward a theory of task motivation and incentives , 1968 .

[14]  P. C. Smith,et al.  Group decision and employee participation. , 1955 .

[15]  Frederick Winslow Taylor,et al.  科学管理原理=The principles of scientific management , 2014 .