Les dimensions négligées de l'évaluation de la performance : les valeurs et la qualité de vie au travail

The purpose of my thesis is to develop a logical model to measure the latency that we also call the values maintenance and its operationalization in order to evaluate health systems performance. Latency is one of the four functions of the general theory of action developed by T. Parsons. His theory is the basis of the EGIPSS model (Comprehensive and Integrated Assessment of the Performance of Health Systems), in which my thesis is inserted. The function of latency is viewed by Parsons as a sub-cultural system. This function reflects the intangible or symbolic universe in which the action takes its meaning. It connects the four functions of the system together. The logical model for measuring latency is structured around two main dimensions, individual and organizational values and quality of life at work. Through individual and organizational values, we measure the intensity and the hierarchy of values, and the level of concordance between individuals and the degree of congruence between the individual and organizational values. Quality of work life is composed of several concepts to analyze and assess work environment, organizational climate, job satisfaction, behavioural responses and health status of employees. The measurement of these aspects has led to the design of questionnaires and thirty three indicators. Thus, my thesis presents each of the selected concepts, as well as, their articulation and measurement tools that were built to assess the latency function. Finally, I present an example of the operationalization of the measurement model and the results of the evaluation which have been taken place in two hospitals in the state of Mato Grosso of south in Brazil. This thesis ends with a reflection on the use of evaluation as a management tool supporting performance improvement and accountability. This project involved a dual challenge. On the one hand, the conceptualization of the construct of maintenance of values from an extensive literature, but lacking of theoretical integration, and the creation of measurement tools to capture all aspects of objective and subjective values and quality of work life. Indeed, we find in the literature many disciplines and multiple theoretical approaches such as industrial and organizational psychology, sociology, nursing, theories of organizational behavior, organizational theory, which developed models to analyze and understand the perceptions, attitudes and human behavior in organizations. Thus, the scientific interest of this project arises from the creation of a dynamic and integrated model which synthesizes different theoretical fields addressing the issue of the interaction between individual and collective perceptions at work, the objective conditions of work and their influence on attitudes and behaviors at work. In addition, this project has an operational interest because it aims to provide to decision-makers knowledge and evidences on aspects of performance that have been neglected by most international models for performance evaluation.

Keyphrases: Performance assessment, Individual values, Organizational values, Quality of life at work, Performance improvement, Accountability