Job Design Flashcards

Flashcards on Job Design and HRM

Job Design

The process of defining how work will be performed and what tasks will be required in a given job, or job redesign, a similar process that involves changing an existing job design.

Job Design Trade-Off

The fundamental job design trade-off is between efficiency (productivity) and worker satisfaction (social needs).

Mechanistic Approach to Job Design

Focuses on efficiency/productivity. Jobs are designed to be simple, easy to learn, and repetitive, allowing workers to develop expertise in narrowly defined tasks.

Scientific Management

Emphasizes greater workforce productivity through division of labor, new work rules, standardized tools, and cooperation between workers and managers.

Mechanistic Approach Worker Motivation

Workers are motivated by external/extrinsic tangible rewards (e.g., money).

Motivational Approach to Job Design

Work is not only a “mechanical” process, but also a “social” process. If the job is psychologically rewarding (e.g., increases job satisfaction) workers will put forth more effort. Jobs are often enriched (made more complex) so as to engage workers.

Performance Equation

Performance is some function of ABILITY times MOTIVATION. Without motivation (the putting forth of effort) there is no performance.

Motivational Approach Worker Motivation

Workers are motivated by internal/intrinsic intangible rewards (e.g., job satisfaction, meaningfulness, psychological fulfillment and enrichment).

Job Enlargement

Broadening types of tasks performed in a job.

Job Extension

Enlarging jobs by combining several relatively simple jobs to form a job with a wider range of tasks.

Job Rotation

Enlarging jobs by moving employees among several different jobs

Job Enrichment

Empowering workers by adding more decision-making authority to jobs and individuals are motivated more by intrinsic aspects of work.

Perceptual Approach to Job Design

Reduce cognitive load so as to reduce mental errors, thus increasing the reliability of a system.

Biological Approach to Job Design

Jobs are designed to minimize physical strain and lessen the incidence of accidents, fatigue, and injury.

Ergonomics

Study of interface between individuals’ physiology and characteristics of physical work environment with the goal to minimize physical strain.