18 Questions
What is the primary goal of job enrichment according to Hackman and Oldham's theory?
To make jobs more satisfying
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an enriched job according to Hackman and Oldham?
Requires strict adherence to protocols
What is the name of the survey developed by Hackman and Oldham to measure job characteristics?
Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS)
Which of the following methods is used to increase job enrichment?
Giving workers more responsibility over their jobs
What is the primary benefit of quality circles in the private sector?
Improved employee commitment
What do individual-difference theories suggest about job satisfaction?
Each person brings an initial tendency to be satisfied with their job
What is the primary motivation behind Maslow's idea of self-actualization in the context of employee needs?
To ensure employee satisfaction only after low-level needs have been met
What is the primary objective of job rotation and job enlargement?
To challenge employees and alleviate boredom
What is the key difference between knowledge enlargement and task enlargement?
The level of complexity in decision-making
Which of the following is a characteristic of job enrichment?
Giving employees more responsibility over tasks
What is the relationship between job rotation and employee boredom?
Job rotation helps to alleviate employee boredom
According to the Job Characteristics Theory, what is the effect of knowledge enlargement on employee satisfaction?
Satisfaction increases with knowledge enlargement
According to Judge and Watanabe's study, what is the relationship between job satisfaction and life satisfaction?
High levels of job satisfaction are associated with high levels of life satisfaction
Why do unhappy employees not leave their jobs?
Because they are used to being unhappy
What happens when an employee's expectations are not met?
They become less motivated and committed to the organization
Why is it important to ensure that applicants have realistic job expectations?
To reduce the discrepancy between expectations and reality
What can an organization do to meet employees' needs that are not met through work activities?
Help employees find alternative avenues to meet their needs
What is the result of a discrepancy between an employee's needs, values, and expectations and the reality of the job?
Lower job satisfaction and motivation
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.
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.
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