The impact of positive reinforcement strategies on increased job performance in a Virginia University facilities management department

Maintaining employee motivation and engagement on the job is important to organizational productivity (Groen, Wouters, & Wilderom, 2011; Leoni, 2011; Vroom, 1964; Wolf & Zwick, 2008). This study investigated the impact of positive reinforcement strategies on increased job performance. The data was obtained from mid-career, non-supervisory individual contributor employees at a Virginia university Facilities Management department, using a quantitative survey. The employees were asked to reflect on their perception of their own job performance, as well as the type, amount, and frequency of feedback they received from their supervisors while on the job. The research found that positive reinforcement has minimal impact on job performance for this sample population. The study concluded that positive reinforcement is a minimally useful performance feedback tool for both supervisors and employees.