Testing the Accuracy of Employee-Reported Data: An Inexpensive Alternative Approach to Traditional Methods
Department
Management and Entrepreneurship
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2008
Abstract
Although Information Technology (IT) solutions improve the collection and validation of operational data, Operations Managers must often rely on self-reported data from workers to make decisions. The problem with this data is that they are subject to intentional manipulation, thus reducing their suitability for decision-making. A method of identifying manipulated data, digital analysis, addresses this problem at low cost. In this paper, we demonstrate how one uses this method in real-world companies to validate self-reported data from line workers. The results of our study suggest that digital analysis estimates the accuracy of employee reported data in operations management, within limited contexts. These findings lead to improved operating performance by providing a tool for practitioners to exclude inaccurate information.
Journal Title
European Journal of Operational Research
Journal ISSN
0377-2217
Volume
189
Issue
3
First Page
583
Last Page
593
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1016/j.ejor.2006.09.092