Establishing Assessment Center Validity: An Examination of Methodological and Theoretical Issues

Methodological and theoretical questions of validity for assessment centers revolve around three related issues: the concept of manager competence, the assessment exercises, and the role of assessors. The authors contend that attempts to establish validity for assessment centers using quantitative methods may be premature. Quantification prior to resolution of theoretical and conceptual problems can lead to rejection of an important management evaluation tool. Conceptual clarification, the present major need, is more likely achieved by an open design.