Chapter 4 Job Analysis and Job Design

Job Rotation

a process whereby employees rotate in and out of different jobs.

Task Force Teams

A task force is formed by management to immediately resolve a major problem

Job Identification

Distinguishes job from all other jobs

Job enrichment

Enhancing a job by adding more meaningful tasks and duties to make the work more rewarding or satisfying

Employee Empowerment

Granting employees power to initiate change, thereby encouraging them to take charge of what they do

Employee Involvement Groups (EIs)

Groups of employees who meet to resolve problems or offer suggestions for organizational improvement (quality circles)

Self-Directed Teams

Groups of highly trained individuals performing a set of interdependent job tasks within a natural work unit. The team members rely on consensus-type decision making to perform their work duties, solve problems, or deal with internal or external customers.

Essential Functions

Indicate responsibilities entailed and results to be accomplished

Job Title

Indicates job duties and organizational level

Flex Time

Working hours that permit employees the option of choosing daily starting and quitting times, provided that they work a set number of hours per day or week.

Job Analysis

analysis is the systematic process of collecting information about all of the parameters of a job—its basic responsibilities, the behaviors, skills, and the physical and mental requirements of the people who do it.

Industrial Engineering

A field of study concerned with analyzing work methods and establishing time standards

Project Teams

A group formed specifically to design a new product or service. The members are assigned by their managers on the basis of their ability to contribute to the team's success. The group normally disbands after the task is done.

Process improvement teams

A group made up of experienced people from different departments or functions. The group is charged with improving quality, decreasing waste, or enhancing the productivity of processes that affect all departments or functions. The members normally appointed by management.

Cross-Functional Teams

A group staffed with a mix of employees from an organization's marketing, production. engineering departments, and so forth to accomplish a specific objective.

Job Crafting

A naturally occurring phenomenon whereby employees mold their tasks to fit their individual strengths, passions, and motives better

Employee Engagement

A situation in which workers are enthusiastic and immersed in their work to the degree that it improves the performance of their companies

Job Design

An outgrowth of job analysis that improves jobs through technological and human considerations in order to enhance organization efficiency and employee job satisfaction

Compressed Workweek

Shortening the number of days in the workweek by lengthening the number of hours worked per day.

Job Sharing

Shortening the number of days in the workweek by lengthening the number of hours worked per day.

Job Specification

Statement of the needed knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) of the person who is to perform the job

Job Description

Statement of the tasks, duties, and responsibilities (TDRs) of a job to be performed

Job Enlargement

The process of adding a greater variety of tasks to a job.

Ergonomics

The process of studying and designing equipment and systems that are easy and efficient for people to use and that ensure their physical well-being.

Telecommuting

The use of personal computers, networks, and other communications technology such as fax machines to do work in the home that is traditionally done in the workplace.