HR: Ch. 4
Four approaches to job design
mechanistic, motivational, biological and perceptual-motor
Job design
the process of defining the way work will be performed and the tasks that will be required in a given job
Job Analysis
the process of getting detailed information about jobs
Job Evaluation
Determines the value/worth of a job in relation to other jobs in an org
Job Description
A list of tasks, duties and responsibilities
Biological Approach
Ergonomics: study of the interface between individuals physiological characteristics and the physical work environment Goal is to minimize the physical strain on the worker
A job description is a list of the knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics that an individual must have to perform the job
False
A job specification is a list of tasks, duties and responsibilities that a job entails
False
If employees in a particular job are complaining about feeling bored and unchallenged, redesigning the job using the perceptual motor approach might be a good way to address their concerns
False
Other Redesign Considerations
Flexible working hours, job sharing, condensed work week and telecommuting
Perceptual-Motor Approach
Focuses on human mental capabilities and limitations. Goal is to design jobs that do not exceed people's mental capabilities
Motivational approach
Focuses on the job characteristics that affect psychological meaning and motivational potential of job design A focus on impacting job attitudes: - Job characteristics model - Job enlargement - Job enrichment - Work teams
Benefits of Teams
Integration of skills, higher quality and productivity, reduced turnover and absenteeism
Job Analysis Information
Job Description and Job Specification
Disadvantages of Teams
Overly high expectations, group compensation, training and chancing career paths
Mechanistic Approach
Rooted in classical industrial engineering: task specialization, skill simplification and repetition Scientific management: "one best way"
Job Description Components
Title, general description, duties-- essential functions, job specification
Scientific management was one of the earliest and best-known statements of the mechanistic approach
True
The process of assessing the relative dollar value of each job to the organization to set up internally equitable pay structures is called job evaluation
True
Job Characteristics Model
VISAF, Meaningfulness+Responsibility+Knowledge + Growth Need Strength moderator
Importance of Job Analysis to HR managers
Work redesign, HR planning, Recruiting and selection, Training, Performance appraisal, Career planning, Job evaluation (evaluates pay)
Job Specification
a list of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics (KSAOs)
Job redesign
refers to changing the tasks or the way work is performed in an existing job