Developing Measurements of Success for Performing Musical Groups

Purpose: Previous studies of musical group performance have suggested the need for reliable and valid measures of success. This paper aims to investigate this issue. Design/methodology/approach: Using Nunnally's methodology, this study developed 18 items that might indicate relative success of performing musical groups. These items were administered to 338 musical groups from Louisiana. Findings: Significant correlations were found among most of the measures. Factor analysis yielded two distinct success scales, one objective and one subjective scale. Research limitations/implication: While this study sampled only Louisiana-based musical groups, the formulated scales provide a needed basis for success measurement in research on performing groups, such as musical groups, theater companies, dance and other group performance companies. Practical implications: a musical group could track their objective measures over time to determine the group's continual improvement. Subjective items could be gathered using a questionnaire given to the band members on a regular basis. Decreases in subjective ratings would indicate decreasing satisfaction among group members, and would alert the band that changes might need to be made. Originality/value: Research on performing service groups, such as musical groups, is often limited because of lack of accepted measures for the dependent variable of success. This research study has developed two success scales that can help measure success in these groups. The authors suggest that future research could use these success scales and the criteria of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards Program to better research the marketing and management of performing service groups.