Alcohol and managerial performance.

ABSTRACT

Effects of alcohol intoxication at .05 and .10 breath alcohol concentration upon a number of validated indicators of managerial performance were investigated in a double-blind crossover placebo-controlled simulation design. Managers (N = 48) spent 2 days handling quasi-experimental (partially event-controlled) tasks that permitted realistic managerial decision making under both "normal" and "emergency" conditions. The data showed that speed and frequency of managerial action were affected by alcohol at the .10 but not the .05 level. Strategy and planning deteriorated at both levels. Limited improvement of performance was observed for one simpler component of managerial functioning at the lower intoxication level, possibly due to myopia and/or a motivated "strain" toward better performance induced by the perception of impairment.