Project Oxygen Resuscitates Googles Poor-Performing Bosses Google, a leader in data analysis, recently decided to use its expertise to improve its HRM function by studying its supervisors. The researchers wanted to determine if they could build better bosses, as it was believed that high employee turnover was due to unsatisfactory relationships with their supervisors. Project Oxygen gathered data from performance reviews, employee surveys, interviews, and observations of supervisors’ behaviors. The study yielded valuable information, revealing that the best bosses were those who were even-tempered, helped their employees solve problems without micromanaging, and showed a genuine interest in their well-being. Google used the information to develop training programs to improve its worst-performing managers.
For this assignment, you will search for academic journals, books, and articles on “Project Oxygen” and its implications for HRM and organizational behavior. You will write a short reflection paper answering the following questions:
1. Why is not having the greatest technical expertise the key to being a good supervisor at Google?
2. Does Googles research on the performance of its managers surprise you? Why or why not?
3. How does the information gathered from Project Oxygen support or challenge traditional HRM practices?
4. How can other organizations use Project Oxygen’s findings to improve their HRM functions?
