The effect of performance appraisal practices on employees in public organizations: a case of Bank of Tanzania.

The study deals with the effect of PA (PA) practices on employees in public organizations; the case study of bank of Tanzania. It aims at investigating the Open Performance Review Appraisal System (OPRAS), which was introduced in 2004 in public organizations. The study looks into how the OPRAS has been received in public organizations and factors affecting its effective implementation at the BOT. The research data were collected from 75 respondents by using questionnaires and non-participatory observation methods. Written official documents were also used as a source of data collection. Descriptive statistics, frequency tables and figures have been applied to data analysis. The study identified factors inhibiting implementation of OPRAS at BOT being among others, lack of adequate knowledge of what benefits appraisal carries to the individual as well as the organization difficulties encountered in setting up of work objectives, ineffective performance feedback system and lack of top management support in ensuring the practice is successfully carried out. The study found out PA practice to be ineffective hence it is recommended that there is a need for the Bank to educate its employees on the importance of this practice especially in participatory objectives setting, clearer communication of agreed objectives and to register the involvement of top management's support in order to regularize the system, to make it effective and user friendly.