Abstract
M.A. (Industrial Psychology)
The aim of the study was to examine the predictive validity of an
externally developed assessment centre in the early
identification of Black supervisory leadership potential in the
South African manufacturing industry.
In order to achieve this, a longitudinal design and a criterion
related validity strategy were adopted to test the relationship
between assessment centre results and subsequent progress as well
as performance at the supervisory level.
The sample for the study consisted of 233 Black males assessed
for leadership potential at the supervisory level between 1986
and 1989. Independent variables included archival data
(collected between 1986 and 1989) comprising assessment centre
dimension scores and biographical data. The independent
variables were validated against an upward mobility criterion as
well as a number of performance criteria collected in 1990.