BA350 Final Ch.8

John Dunker is one of the best firefighters in his squad, and he recently received an award for his outstanding performance. From this information, it may be concluded that John's job has low task significance.

FALSE

The job characteristics model describes any job in terms of five core job dimensions, and these five dimensions are skill variety, task significance, recognition, reward, and feedback.

FALSE

With reference to the job characteristics model, which of the following defines task identity? A) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work B) the degree to which work activities generate direct and clear information about performance C) the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure D) the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people E) the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities

Answer: A Explanation: A) The job characteristics model (JCM) describes jobs in terms of five core job dimensions: skill variety, the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities; task identity, the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work; task significance, the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people; autonomy, the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling; and feedback, the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about performance.

Which of the following statements is true regarding the job characteristics model? A) The operation of the model is universal and unaffected by cultural factors. B) The operation of the model is relatively individualistic in nature. C) The operation of the model requires employees to have similar skill sets. D) The operation of the model cannot be quantitatively measured. E) The operation of the model fulfills only extrinsic motivational needs.

Answer: B Explanation: B) The job characteristics model is relatively individualistic in nature as it considers the relationship between the employee and his or her work. This suggests that job enrichment strategies may not have the same effects in collectivistic cultures as in individualistic cultures.

According to the job characteristics model, ________ indicates the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about your own performance. A) task significance B) autonomy C) feedback D) task identity E) skill variety

Answer: C Explanation: C) According to the job characteristics model, feedback indicates the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about your own performance.

According to the job characteristics model, autonomy is defined as the degree to which ________. A) a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work B) a job generates direct and clear information about performance C) a job provides the worker freedom, independence, and discretion D) a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people E) a job requires a variety of different activities

Answer: C Explanation: C) Autonomy is the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom, independence, and discretion in scheduling work and determining the procedures in carrying it out.

Adam Sears is an assembly line employee with Swenson Motors. Though Adam is popular among his supervisors and colleagues, Adam experiences low morale and lack of motivation. He feels frustrated that his job is restricted to fixing nuts and bolts on the car parts. He fears that he has no chances of advancing in his career as he cannot completely assemble a car. Which of the following is true with regard to Adam? A) Adam's job has high task complexity. B) Adam's job has a high span of control. C) Adam's job has low role definition. D) Adam's job has low task identity. E) Adam's job has high task significance.

Answer: D Explanation: D) Adam's job has low task identity. This means that the degree to which the job requires the completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work is low.

Samantha Barnes is an emergency medical technician. Recently, during an emergency call, she was able to resuscitate a man who had a cardiac arrest. Subsequently, she spent some time calming the 12-year-old daughter of the patient and looked after her till the rest of the patient's family arrived at the hospital. Based on this description, it can be concluded that Samantha's job is high in ________. A) task identity B) feedback C) extrinsic rewards D) task significance E) job rotation

Answer: D Explanation: D) Although Samantha's job has many job characteristics, the description provided best describes task significance. Task significance refers to the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives of other people.

According to the job characteristics model, task significance is the degree to which ________. A) a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work B) a job generates direct and clear information about performance C) a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling work and determining its procedure D) a job bears an impact on the lives or work of other people E) a job requires a variety of different activities

Answer: D Explanation: D) Task significance is the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people.

The core dimensions of the job characteristics model can be combined into a single predictive index called ________. A) extrinsic motivation score B) personal outcome score C) job diagnostic score D) motivating potential score E) potential development score

Answer: D Explanation: D) The core dimensions of the job characteristics model can be combined into a single predictive index, called the motivating potential score.

Which of the following series of dimensions of the job characteristics model (JCM) combine to create meaningful work? A) autonomy, task identity, and feedback B) skill variety, autonomy, and task significance C) skill variety, autonomy, and feedback D) feedback, task identity, and task significance E) skill variety, task identity, and task significance

Answer: E Explanation: E) The first three dimensions in JCM, skill variety, task identity, and task significance, combine to create meaningful work that the worker will view as important, valuable, and worthwhile.

With reference to the job characteristics model, which of the following defines skill variety? A) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work B) the degree to which work activities generate direct and clear information about performance C) the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure D) the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people E) the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities tapping different abilities

Answer: E Explanation: E) The job characteristics model (JCM) describes jobs in terms of five core job dimensions: skill variety, the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities; task identity, the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work; task significance, the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people; autonomy, the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling; and feedback, the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about performance.

Feedback is the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about one's own performance. TRUE

TRUE

Jobs with high autonomy give workers a feeling of personal responsibility for the results.

TRUE