The biggest challenge global organizations are facing is coming up with methodologically sound assessment and selection tools and practices that are implementable across cultures. Aside from the obvious need for assessment tools in multiple languages, companies face additional problems in determining whether the translated tools are indeed valid in another language and culture. Other issues include: cultural acceptance of selection and assessment practices, data privacy concerns, legal variability and risks across nations and cultural competency of assessors.
The consortium is SIOP's "practice"oriented conference which provides an interesting mix of professionals from academia, research, HR and consulting practices. One key note speaker, Kristie Wright of Cisco Systems captured the attention of many with the approach that integrates Industrial/Organizational and Clinical Psychology practices, which to some in the audience must have seemed blasphemous given the frequency with which she apologized to her I/O colleagues. However, like many Consulting Psychologists, I found this presentation refreshing and the approach sound. According to Dr. Wright it primarily involves extending their Interviewing Methodology to integrate the I/O Methods of: standardization, volume, norming, and focusing on the "what" with Clinical Methods which emphasize: uniqueness, depth vs. volume, being individually driven and a focus on the "why".
Its nice when two branches of psychology can talk to each other. Maybe more cross-disciplinary collaboration will lead us closer to solving the global assessment and selection issues. As we say in psychology, "Hope springs eternal"!
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