Jim Kurtessis, M.A.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

• Food included on-site.
• Email questions for the presenter to vp.ptcmw@gmail.com by 12pm ET the day before.
  

• Crystal City Shops, 2010 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202 (map)
  
• Metro Access and Parking Available

Abstract:

Trait competitiveness has been studied by psychologists for more than 100 years. Beginning with the first studies of competitiveness among bicyclists around the turn of the 20^th century, researchers have been fascinated with competitive behavior in sports, education, and management. Surprisingly, its influence on organizational behavior (such as job performance) remains poorly researched, relatively unknown, and a source of significant debate among researchers. Although meta-analytic estimates have found a near zero correlation between trait competitiveness and job performance, this finding is primarily reflective of the equivocal and highly variable findings of empirical studies which are hampered by a lack of strong and well-developed theory. This presentation will provide an overview of trait competitiveness and it’s distinctiveness from similar constructs, will review empirical research and theoretical relationships, and will conclude with research directions for future research and practical applications for practitioners.

Jim Kurtessis is past-President of PTCMW and has served on the PTCMW board since 2010. He currently works as Manager, Validation Research for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) focusing on the SHRM Competency Model and Certification exams. Prior to joining SHRM he was with the American Institutes for Research (AIR) where he was involved in consulting projects for a variety of government and non-profit clients. He has presented numerous times at conferences such SIOP and AOM and has publications in journals such as Journal of Management and Organizational Research Methods. He earned his Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from George Mason University.