Goal-Setting Theory, formulated by Edwin Locke, demonstrates that employee performance is maximized when assigned goals are:

Explanation

• Locke’s Goal-Setting Theory proves that specific, clear, and difficult goals consistently yield higher performance than vague or ‘do your best’ instructions.
• Critical factors reinforcing goal achievement include goal commitment, self-efficacy, and continuous performance feedback.
• Goal-Setting Theory provides the theoretical groundwork behind SMART goal frameworks.