Motivating from the heights: a field experiment on top managers visiting the front-line

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Casas-Arce, Pablo; Martinez-Jerez, F. Asis; Moran, Joseph
• 署名单位: Arizona State University; Arizona State University-Tempe; Cornell University; University of Pennsylvania
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ACCOUNTING STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1380-6653
• DOI: 10.1007/s11142-024-09847-3
• 发表日期: 2025
• 页码: 1099-1135
• 关键词: patient safety; leadership walkrounds; performance

摘要

We analyze the motivational effects of managing by walking around (MBWA), a management style that emphasizes managers' visits to the rank and file of the company. We do so by conducting a field experiment in the retail division of a Latin American bank. We find that branches significantly increase sales productivity following the management visit, an effect that begins prior to the top manager's visit and persists for at least a month afterward. We also find a higher impact of the visit on high-performing branches. Our results indicate that motivation is a significant channel through which MBWA improves employee performance.