Chapter 8

Job Redesign and Job Enrichment

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Learning Objectives

Explain what job design is all about. Describe how job rotation, job enlargement, and job enrichment work. Describe the five core job dimensions and illustrate selected enrichment principles that help to create these dimensions. Explain the significance of MPS and job profile charts.

Learning Objectives (contd.)

Discuss five job enrichment principles. Cite some illustrations of job enrichment in action. Discuss four current challenges in job design.

Job Redesign
Job redesign refers to any work changes that increase work quality or productivity

Job Redesign Techniques

In job rotation, the workers moves from one job to another Job enlargement gives the worker more to do Job enrichment gives the worker more authority in planning and controlling the work

Figure 8.1

Job Rotation
Assemble components A, B, and C

Package the unit and send it to the shipping department

Assemble components D, E, and F

Paint the outer casing and attach the name decal

Solder the entire unit and put it into a casing

Test the unit to be sure it works

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Core Job Dimensions

are characteristics that make work more motivational

Five Core Job Dimensions

1.
2.

3.
4. 5.

Skill variety is the degree to which jobs require a completion of different activities Task identity involves the degree to which a job requires completion of an identifiable piece of work Task significance is the degree to which a job has a substantial impact on others Autonomy is the degree to which a job provides the worker with freedom in carrying it out Feedback is the degree to which the work provides the worker with performance information
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Motivating Potential Score

The motivating potential score measures the presence of core job dimensions

Profile Chart of Core Job Dimensions for Three Jobs

Figure 8.2
High Job 3

Job 2

Moderate
Job 1

Low

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Figure 8.3 Example of the Relationship Between Selected Job

Enrichment Principles and Core Job Dimensions

JOB ENRICHMENT PRINCIPLES CORE JOB DIMENSIONS

Forming natural work units

Skill variety

Establishing client relation. Combining tasks Vertical loading Opening feedback channels

Task identity Task significance Autonomy Feedback

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Job Enrichment Principles

1)
2) 3) 4) 5)

Formation of natural work units Establishment of worker-client relationships Combining of tasks Vertical loading Opening of feedback channels
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Vertical Loading
closes the gap between the doing and controlling aspects of the job

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Current Challenges in Job Design

New workplace designs The increasing use of teleworkers The challenge in dealing with contract
workers Managing hard-to-keep employees

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Key Terms in the Chapter

Job design Job rotation Job enlargement Core job dimensions Skill variety Task identity Task significance

Autonomy Feedback Motivating potential score Job profile chart Vertical loading

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