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General Cognitive Ability and job performance in personnel selection in Sweden: A meta-analysis

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  • Anders Sjöberg
  • Sofia Sjöberg

Abstract

General Cognitive Ability (GCA) is widely used in personnel selection, with meta-analyses from Europe and North America confirming its predictive validity for job performance. However, Swedish research remains limited, particularly in peer-reviewed literature. This study contributes to the field by summarizing mostly unpublished studies, broadening perspectives beyond academia. A psychometric meta-analysis of 25 studies (24 unpublished, one published) from 1949 to 2024 ( N = 2875) applied two restriction of range correction strategies—“considered†and “conservative†—to examine their impact on results. Range restriction occurs when variability in predictor scores is artificially reduced due to pre-selection, leading to underestimated correlations. The observed mean correlation was .19, increasing to .32 after correcting for indirect range restriction and measurement error in job performance. Different correction strategies had minimal impact, reaffirming GCA as a strong predictor of job performance in Sweden. However, further validation studies using Swedish samples are needed to refine correction methods and improve generalizability.

Suggested Citation

  • Anders Sjöberg & Sofia Sjöberg, 2025. "General Cognitive Ability and job performance in personnel selection in Sweden: A meta-analysis," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 46(3), pages 830-850, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:46:y:2025:i:3:p:830-850
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X251338027
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