2.2.9 Managerial Practices Survey (MPS)
Purpose
The Managerial Practices Survey (MPS), also known as “Compass,” measures 14 categories of management and leadership behaviors across four dimensions. Its primary goal is to provide managers with feedback about their current on-the-job behaviors, helping them identify their leadership strengths and how they might improve their management practices (Zaccaro et al., 1999).
MPS results are typically used by managers, their supervisors, HR departments, and organizational leaders to assess and improve managerial practices, leadership effectiveness, and organizational performance.
Description
The tool was developed by Yukl between 1984 and 1995. Sample questions include “How frequently do you involve your team in decision-making processes?” and “Rate your ability to communicate effectively with team members on a scale of 1 to 5.”
In terms of validity, several studies suggest that behaviors in the MPS are relevant for managerial effectiveness. Content validity has been well established with correct classification ranging from .72 to .96. Finally, the criterion-related validity of the MPS was tested in several studies (Yukl & Kanuk, 1979; Yukl &Van Fleet, 1982; Miles, 1985). Across all studies, there was evidence for the relevance of most criteria for managerial effectiveness.
Access
The MPS is available via this website: https://www.scribd.com/document/266048716/Managerial-Practices-Survey-2012. It may also be accessible via academic journals and research databases, including in the relevant articles listed in the references section. Prior to usage, permission from the authors or copyright holders may be necessary. Contact the authors directly or consult the articles for more information on the availability and permissions.
References
Tracey, J. B., & Hinkin, T. R. (1998). Transformational leadership or effective managerial practices? Group & Organization Management, 23(3), 220–236. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059601198233002
Yukl, G. A. (1989). Managerial effectiveness: New insights from behavioral science research. American Psychologist, 44(8), 1691–1698.
Yukl, G. A., & Nemeroff, W. B. (1995). Self-ratings of leadership behavior and organizational effectiveness. Journal of Applied Psychology, 80(2), 211–220.
Rush, M. C., Yukl, G. A., & Thomas, A. C. (1995). Two decades of research on leadership behavior: An annotated bibliography. Journal of Leadership, 1(1), 85–106.
