In a recent survey, 72% of the board of directors indicated that their work should be evaluated. However, only 21% of the boards of public companies actually conduct such evaluations. Part of the problem is that organizations often do not know how best to implement the board self-evaluation process, so many people simply avoid the practice. Other procedure involves only become frustrated because it took so long and made so few results. To explore various self-practice use, the authors studied eight boards, which are involved in the process, at least two annual cycles. They found two high-level variables in the protocol for the self-assessment: the structure of data collection methodology (low versus high), and the confidentiality of data (whether against important). These dimensions determine the quadrant four different approaches to self-evaluation: informal, legal, trusting, and systematic. Each approach has important implications for the management of the Company rating, directors and officers insurance and other issues. "Hide
by Laurence J. Stybel, Maryanne Peabody Source: MIT Sloan Management Review 8 pages. Publication Date: September 1, 2005. Prod. #: SMR188-PDF-ENG