Scheuer2014

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Scheuer2014
BibType ARTICLE
Key Scheuer2014
Author(s) Jann Scheuer
Title Managing employees’ talk about problems in work in performance appraisal interviews
Editor(s)
Tag(s) EMCA, interviews, leadership management, multimodality, performance, appraisal, post-answer response, question–answer sequences, supervisor–employee interaction, talk in institutions, talk on problems in work
Publisher
Year 2014
Language
City
Month
Journal Discourse Studies
Volume 16
Number 3
Pages 407–429
URL Link
DOI 10.1177/1461445613519018
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
Chapter

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Abstract

Performance appraisal interviews are carried out on the basis of known-in-advance written materials such as preparation forms and interview guides. This article demonstrates how participants manage interviews by following a question–answer–response format fit to address interview guide entries one at a time. Two recurring supervisor responses to employees’ talk about problems in work are investigated: positive prediction and advice. It is suggested that these responses serve to establish supervisor authority and deter participants from discussing issues raised in employee answers and thus go against norms emanating from literature on management communication. Results obtained in interviews are put down in writing along the way and subsequently summarized in documents to be signed by both participants, that is, employee and supervisor. The article demonstrates how participants use positive prediction and advice to coordinate talk-in-interaction with handling written materials and note taking, as well as formulating conclusions suitable for writing. The analyses shed light on how talk in an institutional context becomes a middle-medium, that is, a bridge between writings, and how this process is accomplished in turn-taking procedures.

Notes