Testing a Multi-Dimensional Model of Organizational Performance: Prospects and Problems

Scholars have been preoccupied for generations with identifying the “best measure” and model of organizational performance. Drawing on previous work focused on the development of multi-dimensional frameworks or models of organizational performance, this paper presents our perspective on organizational performance, discussing a multi-dimensional model that emphasizes the importance of assessing the two primary dimensions of performance, management and program performance. We advocate for the use of both perceptual and objective measures in seeking to understand organizational performance, finding that examining these perceptual and objective measures has significant usefulness in seeking to fully capture performance. In addition, through the use of multi-level random coefficient (or hierarchical) modeling, we find various interconnections between management dimensions and program dimensions in understanding organization performance in 22 human service organizations providing early care and education services.