Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal of job enrichment according to Hackman and Oldham's theory?
What is the primary goal of job enrichment according to Hackman and Oldham's theory?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an enriched job according to Hackman and Oldham?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an enriched job according to Hackman and Oldham?
What is the name of the survey developed by Hackman and Oldham to measure job characteristics?
What is the name of the survey developed by Hackman and Oldham to measure job characteristics?
Which of the following methods is used to increase job enrichment?
Which of the following methods is used to increase job enrichment?
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What is the primary benefit of quality circles in the private sector?
What is the primary benefit of quality circles in the private sector?
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What do individual-difference theories suggest about job satisfaction?
What do individual-difference theories suggest about job satisfaction?
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What is the primary motivation behind Maslow's idea of self-actualization in the context of employee needs?
What is the primary motivation behind Maslow's idea of self-actualization in the context of employee needs?
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What is the primary objective of job rotation and job enlargement?
What is the primary objective of job rotation and job enlargement?
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What is the key difference between knowledge enlargement and task enlargement?
What is the key difference between knowledge enlargement and task enlargement?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of job enrichment?
Which of the following is a characteristic of job enrichment?
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What is the relationship between job rotation and employee boredom?
What is the relationship between job rotation and employee boredom?
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According to the Job Characteristics Theory, what is the effect of knowledge enlargement on employee satisfaction?
According to the Job Characteristics Theory, what is the effect of knowledge enlargement on employee satisfaction?
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According to Judge and Watanabe's study, what is the relationship between job satisfaction and life satisfaction?
According to Judge and Watanabe's study, what is the relationship between job satisfaction and life satisfaction?
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Why do unhappy employees not leave their jobs?
Why do unhappy employees not leave their jobs?
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What happens when an employee's expectations are not met?
What happens when an employee's expectations are not met?
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Why is it important to ensure that applicants have realistic job expectations?
Why is it important to ensure that applicants have realistic job expectations?
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What can an organization do to meet employees' needs that are not met through work activities?
What can an organization do to meet employees' needs that are not met through work activities?
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What is the result of a discrepancy between an employee's needs, values, and expectations and the reality of the job?
What is the result of a discrepancy between an employee's needs, values, and expectations and the reality of the job?
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Study Notes
Job Characteristics Theory
- Enriched jobs are the most satisfying, according to Hackman and Oldham's (1975, 1976) theory.
- Characteristics of enriched jobs include:
- Variety of skills used
- Completing entire tasks rather than parts
- Tasks with meaning or importance
- Decision-making autonomy
- Feedback about performance
- Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) measures the extent to which these characteristics are present in a job.
Job Enrichment Methods
- Giving workers more responsibility over their jobs
- Showing employees that their jobs have meaning and contribute to a worthwhile goal
- Using self-directed teams or quality circles to increase job satisfaction and commitment
Integration of Theories
- Individual-difference theories suggest that each person brings an initial tendency to be satisfied with life and work to a job.
- Maslow's theory emphasizes the need for growth and challenge (self-actualization) after low-level needs are met.
Satisfying Self-Actualization Needs
- Job rotation: learning to use several different machines or conduct several different tasks within an organization, with tasks changing over time.
- Job enlargement: giving employees more tasks to do at one time, with two types:
- Knowledge enlargement: allowing employees to make more complex decisions
- Task enlargement: giving employees more tasks of the same difficulty level
- Job enrichment: assuming more responsibility over tasks, which is a more effective way to satisfy self-actualization needs.
Job Satisfaction and Life Satisfaction
- High levels of life satisfaction are associated with high levels of job satisfaction, and vice versa.
- Satisfaction with one's job can "spill over" into other aspects of life, and vice versa.
Meeting Employee Needs
- Employees have needs, values, and expectations that can be met through various means, including non-work activities like hobbies and volunteer work.
- Organizations should try to fulfill the needs they can and help employees find alternative avenues to meet their other needs.
Discrepancy Theory
- Employees become dissatisfied and less motivated when there is a discrepancy between their needs, values, and expectations and the reality of the job.
- If an employee's expectations are not met, the results are lower job satisfaction, decreased organizational commitment, and an increased intent to leave the organization.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the Job Characteristics Theory by Hackman and Oldham, which explains how enriched jobs can lead to employee satisfaction. Learn about the key characteristics of enriched jobs and how they affect performance.
