Aspects of Applying AC/DC Method and 360 Degree Feedback

Abstract

The goal of this research was to explore the applicability of AC/DC method and 360 degree feedback, as well as to determine the most optimal method for the evaluation of different leadership competencies. The survey was carried out in a multinational company, which produces machine components for automotive industry (N=42). The following management competencies were examined by both methods: decision making, cooperation, conflict management, persuasion and problem solving. Based on the achievements we can assert that all DC observation assessments are lower than any of the 360 degree feedback results, including self-assessment, as opposed to the results of Carless and his colleagues (1998). The DC results and 360 degree feedbacks cannot always be used to supplement each other, this relation of the two methods is also revealed by the lack of intercoding  correspondence. Consequently it is reasonable to analyse separately the results of the 360 degree feedback on the basis of valuation pairs and competencies and compare these to the results of DC only in specific cases.