[mytailorisrich]

Removing the worst performers is the issue, as you somewhat suggest.

You don't want to remove the worst performers. You want to remove those don't do their jobs or don't fit in the company. This is very different.

[bena]

It is, but I was offering a suggestion as to why the concept is popular.

It passes the "gut check". It "feels right".

And that's because it's vaguely in the right direction of a good idea.