A comparison of written feedback and written plus verbal feedback methods in performance management

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two different modes of feedback on the reactions of supervisors (raters) and subordinates (ratees) and also on the performance of the subordinates. Using a quasi-experimental design, 77 supervisors giving feedback and 71 subordinates receiving feedback participated in the study. Supervisors were assigned to either Written Plus Verbal Feedback Condition or Verbal Feedback Condition. After receiving a general performance appraisal training and a feedback training (i.e., written plus verbal or written only feedback training), supervisors in each condition gave feedback to their subordinates consistent with their training. Performance of the subordinates was measured both before and two months after the feedback. Results indicated that the supervisors who had given written plus verbal feedback found the feedback process more effective and were more satisfied with it than the supervisors in the written feedback condition. However neither the reactions nor the job performance of the subordinates in the two feedback conditions differed significantly from each other Despite the lack of a significant difference, subordinates in both conditions reported favorable reactions toward the feedback.