Job Characteristics and Design

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Download our mobile app to listen on the go

Get App

Questions and Answers

What is skill variety?

The periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another
The degree to which a job provides autonomy
A system in which workers participate in decision making
The degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities (correct)

What does the job characteristics model (JCM) propose?

It proposes that any job can be described in terms of five core job dimensions: skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback.

What is job design?

The way the elements in a job are organized.

What is task identity?

The degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work. Signup and view all the answers

What is task significance?

The degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people. Signup and view all the answers

What does autonomy in a job refer to?

The degree to which a job provides the worker freedom, independence, and discretion. Signup and view all the answers

What is feedback in the context of a job?

The degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about performance. Signup and view all the answers

What is job rotation?

The periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another. Signup and view all the answers

What does motivating potential score (MPS) indicate?

It is a predictive index that suggests the motivating potential in a job. Signup and view all the answers

What is job enrichment?

The vertical expansion of jobs, increasing worker control over the planning, execution, and evaluation. Signup and view all the answers

What is flextime?

Flexible work hours. Signup and view all the answers

What is job sharing?

An arrangement that allows two or more individuals to split a traditional 40-hour-a-week job. Signup and view all the answers

What is telecommuting?

Working from home at least two days a week on a computer linked to the employer's office. Signup and view all the answers

What is employee involvement?

A participative process that uses the input of employees to increase commitment. Signup and view all the answers

What is representative participation?

A system in which workers participate in organizational decision making through a group of representative employees. Signup and view all the answers

What is participative management?

A process in which subordinates share decision-making power with their superiors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a variable-pay program?

A pay plan that bases a portion of an employee's pay on individual and/or organizational performance measures. Signup and view all the answers

What is a piece-rate pay plan?

A pay plan in which workers are paid a fixed sum for each unit of production completed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a merit-based pay plan?

A pay plan based on performance appraisal ratings. Signup and view all the answers

What is a bonus?

A pay plan that rewards employees for recent performance rather than historical performance. Signup and view all the answers

What is skill-based pay?

A pay plan that sets pay levels based on how many skills employees have or how many jobs they can do. Signup and view all the answers

What is a profit-sharing plan?

An organization-wide program that distributes compensation based on a company's profitability. Signup and view all the answers

What is an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)?

A company-established benefits plan in which employees acquire stock, often at below-market prices. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards are hidden until you start studying

Study Notes

Job Characteristics and Design

Skill Variety: Refers to the range of different tasks and activities required in a job, enhancing employee engagement.
Job Characteristics Model (JCM): Describes jobs via five core dimensions: skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback, providing a framework for job design.
Job Design: Involves organizing job elements to improve satisfaction and productivity.

Task Dimensions

Task Identity: The extent to which a job allows completion of a recognizable and whole piece of work, leading to higher employee satisfaction (e.g., a cabinetmaker vs. a lathe operator).
Task Significance: Measures the impact of a job on others' lives, with higher significance in roles like nursing compared to janitorial work.
Autonomy: Indicates the freedom and independence in job execution; higher autonomy allows workers to schedule and determine procedures without supervision.
Feedback: The clarity and directness of performance information from work activities; jobs with high feedback create better awareness of performance.

Job Management Techniques

Job Rotation: Involves periodically shifting employees among different tasks to increase engagement and reduce monotony.
Motivating Potential Score (MPS): An index predicting the motivational potential of a job based on the combination of its characteristics.
Job Enrichment: Focuses on vertical job expansion, enhancing control over planning, execution, and evaluation of work.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Flextime: Offers employees flexible working hours, promoting work-life balance.
Job Sharing: Allows two or more employees to share the responsibilities of a single full-time position.
Telecommuting: Enables employees to work from home at least two days a week, fostering a flexible workplace environment.

Employee Involvement and Participation

Employee Involvement: A process encouraging employee input to boost commitment to organizational success.
Representative Participation: Workers engage in decision-making through a selected group of representatives.
Participative Management: Subordinates have a significant share in decision-making alongside their immediate supervisors.

Compensation Strategies

Variable-Pay Program: Links part of employee compensation to individual or organizational performance metrics.
Piece-Rate Pay Plan: Employees receive a fixed payment for each unit produced, incentivizing productivity.
Merit-Based Pay Plan: Compensation based on performance appraisals.
Bonus: Rewards employees based on recent performance rather than historical achievements.
Skill-Based Pay: Earnings are determined by the number of skills and roles an employee is qualified for, promoting skill development.
Profit-Sharing Plan: Distributes compensation based on a company’s profitability under a defined formula.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): Offers employees stock options, often at reduced prices, as part of their benefits package.