Abstract:
Performance Appraisal System helps to make HR related
administrative decisions such as promotions and training &
development etc. The Sri Lanka Navy also uses Navy Officers’
Performance Appraisal System (Sri Lanka Navy Form NAV 206) to
make such HR related decisions. The officers in the Sri Lanka Navy are
promoted up to the rank of Lieutenant Commander on time-based
promotion stream and Commander and above are on vacancy based
stream. Then, there is a huge stagnation of promotion of Commander,
Captain and Commodore rank in the Sri Lanka Navy because
promotions of these officers totally depend upon the number of vacancies available for each rank. The performance appraisal system
of Sri Lanka Navy is used to promote these officers and to provide
training opportunities for them. However, most of the officers are not
satisfied with the transparency of the existing appraisal system. On the
other hand, premature retirements of these officers have become a
trend and most of them have left the Sri Lanka Navy before maturing
the age. There is no any empirical evidence to prove what are the
reasons for premature turnover of officers in the Sri Lanka Navy.
Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether
appraisal system, promoting and training & development influence on
officer’s intention to leave. Based on the theories as well, main
variables were identified; Performance Appraisal System as a
predictor variable, Intention to leave as Criterion variable and
Promotion and Training & Development as intervening variables. Data
were gathered through questionnaires from 147 officers in the rank of
Temporary Lieutenant Commander and above up to Commodore rank
officers in the Sri Lanka Navy and discussions were also held with few
officers among them. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were mainly
used to analyze data. According to the findings of the study,
performance appraisal system significantly influences on officers’
promotion, training & development. Ultimately, existing appraisal
system, promotion, training & development significantly influence
officers' intention to leave the Sri Lanka Navy. Promotion significantly
mediates and training & development partially mediate the relationship
between appraisal system and intention to leave. Thus, promotion and
training & development opportunities should be provided for officers
through a just and fair performance appraisal. It will lead to
minimizing the officers' intention to leave the Sri Lanka Navy.
Therefore, a new performance appraisal system should be established
to eradicate lapses in the present system.
