In search of a ceiling effect on work motivation: Can Kaizen keep performance 'risin'?'

Reports on an intervention that attempted to raise productivity in an already highly productive, white-collar environment where extant production levels exceeded the industry norm by approximately 200%. Ss were 3 groups of experienced medical transcriptionists. In Phase 1, Groups 1 and 2 received different types of feedback; Group 3 received none. In Phase 2, all groups received Group 1 type feedback. Resultant productivity improved by a statistically significant 15.8% over periods of up to 6 mo. Analogous to the Japanese concept of Kaizen, results suggest that human achievement has the potential for continuous, sustained improvement, even when already at peak performance levels, when feedback is relevant and objective and compensation is pay-for-performance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)