4. Defining, Analyzing, and Designing the Work

Jobs

Jobs

A group of related activities and duties

Position

specific responsibilities performed by 1 employee

Work

tasks or activities that need to be completed

Job incumbent

the employee hired to do a job

Job analysis

process of obtaining information about jobs by determining the duties, tasks, or activities, and the skills, knowledge, and abilities associated with the jobs

Job Description

a document that lists the tasks, duties, and responsibilities of a job to be performed along with the skills and knowledge needed to perform the job

Job specifications

Statement of the needed knowledge, skills, and abilities of the person who is to perform the position

Standards of performance

Explicit statement setting out the expected results of the job

Job design

process of defining and organizing tasks, roles, and other processes to achieve employee goals and organizational effectiveness

Job characteristics model

an approach to job design that recognizes the link between motivational factors and components of the job to achieve improved work performance and job satisfaction

Employee empowerment

granting employee power to initiate change, thereby encouraging them to take charge of what they do

Employee teams

An employee-contributions technique in which work functions are structured for groups instead of individuals

Virtual team

a team with widely dispersed members linked through computer and communication technology