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