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Job Characteristics Model Insights

The document is a quiz on concepts related to job design and motivation from the job characteristics model. It contains 25 multiple choice questions that test understanding of key terms like autonomy, feedback, skill variety, and how job characteristics like autonomy and feedback can enhance motivation. The questions also cover job design strategies like job enrichment, job rotation, flex time, telecommuting and their potential benefits and drawbacks.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
55 views6 pages

Job Characteristics Model Insights

The document is a quiz on concepts related to job design and motivation from the job characteristics model. It contains 25 multiple choice questions that test understanding of key terms like autonomy, feedback, skill variety, and how job characteristics like autonomy and feedback can enhance motivation. The questions also cover job design strategies like job enrichment, job rotation, flex time, telecommuting and their potential benefits and drawbacks.

Uploaded by

Bảo Hân
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MOTIVATION IN PRACTICE

1. Which of the following is not one of the core job dimensions in the job characteristics model (JCM)?
A) task significance
B) feedback
C) autonomy
D) status
E) skill variety
D

2. 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 generates 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
E

3. 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 generates 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
A

4. Which of the following defines autonomy?


A) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) the degree to which work activities generates 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
C

5. Nikhil is a design manager for a production company. He independently assigns teams, chooses
projects, researches trends, and is able to work from home two to three days a week. He provides a
status report to the design director once a month. Based on this description, it's safe to say that Nikhil's
job is high in which job characteristic?
A) task identity
B) feedback
C) autonomy
D) task significance
E) skill variety
C

6. In the job characteristics model (JCM), what three core job dimensions 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
E

7. According to the job characteristics model, which of the following results in the maximum internal
rewards for an individual?
A) when they are given tangible rewards
B) when they learn that they personally have performed well on a task that they care about
C) when they initiate a program that enables them to work with a variety of like-minded colleagues
D) when their training is realized and their expectations are met
E) when they are singled out for praise for successfully completing an arduous task
B

8. What is another term for cross-training?


A) work enrichment
B) job sharing
C) work enlargement
D) job enhancement
E) job rotation
C

9. A trucking company routinely makes all of its office staff work for a week in the warehouse area:
loading trucks, cleaning trucks, and doing other work which they are capable of. This program is an
example of which of the following?
A) job rotation
B) job enlargement
C) job enrichment
D) job sharing
E) flex time
A

10. What is the main strength of job rotation?


A) It eliminates management involvement.
B) It increases motivation.
C) It increases productivity.
D) It decreases training costs
E) It decreases supervisor work load.
B

11. Aberdone Company has redesigned the jobs of the workers in accounts receivables. Instead of
simply billing customers, they are now responsible for what used to be management tasks, such as for
following up on non-payment, determining when bills will be sent to a collection agency, and what
accounts receivables can be written off as non-collectable. What term would best be used to describe
how the company is enriching the job dimensions?
A) task combination
B) vertical job expansion
C) formation of natural work units
D) establishing client relationships
E) opening feedback channels
D

12. How do most employees react to job enrichment?


A) decreased production
B) increased absenteeism
C) increased job satisfaction
D) decreased job satisfaction
E) increased turnover
C

13. Job enrichment increases the degree to which the worker controls the ________.
A) planning, execution, and evaluation of his or her work
B) planning, execution, and evaluation of company plans
C) horizontal integration of his or her tasks
D) feedback that a worker receives from his or her supervisor and peers
E) evaluation of his or her peers
C

14. Which one of the following is not one of the guidelines for enriching jobs based on the job
characteristics model?
A) form telecommuting units
B) establish client relationships
C) open feedback channels
D) combine tasks
E) expand jobs vertically
A

15. A firm introduces job enrichment in order to motivate its employees. Evidence would suggest that
which of the following is the most likely result of this change?
A) reduced absenteeism and turnover costs
B) lower fixed costs
C) a drop in quality
D) a decrease in productivity
E) an increase in productivity
A

16. Beyond redesigning the nature of the work itself and involving employees in decisions, another
approach to making the work environment more motivating is to alter work arrangements. Which of the
following is designed to give an employee greater control of their schedule?
A) flex time
B) job sharing
C) job rotation
D) telecommuting
E) job enrichment
A

17. An arrangement that allows two or more individuals to split a traditional 40-hour-a-week job is
called ________.
A) flex time
B) job sharing
C) job rotation
D) telecommuting
E) job enrichment
B

18. Which of the following is the principal drawback from job sharing?
A) drawing on multiple talents for one job
B) increased benefits costs for two employees
C) difficulty in finding compatible partners
D) too much job flexibility is hard to manage
E) difficulty in coordinating schedules
C

19. Janice and Shunil are both senior software analysts. They have worked together on projects for six
years and get along great. Janice is pregnant and anticipating the arrival of her first child. Shunil would
like to experiment with opening his own business as a home media installation consultant. They both
need some income. Which of the following alternative job structures would be best for Janice and
Shunil?
A) flex time
B) telecommuting
C) job rotation
D) job sharing
E) job enrichment
D

20. Which of the following has not been shown to be a benefit of flex time?
A) reduced absenteeism
B) improved productivity
C) increased meaningfulness
D) increased satisfaction
E) improved promptness
E

21. Which of the following is a job that does not lend itself to telecommuting?
A) an attorney who spends most of her time researching on the computer
B) a writer of copy for an advertising firm
C) a car salesman who demonstrates the features of a new model of car
D) a telemarketer who uses the phone to contact clients
E) a product support specialist who fields calls from irate customers
C

22. Which of the following is a not a management benefit of telecommuting?


A) larger labor pool for recruitment
B) higher productivity of employees
C) decreased office expenditures
D) improved morale in general
E) decreased benefits expenses
D

23. After completing cooking school with outstanding grades and recommendations, Joe and Gary both
looked forward to working in restaurants. Joe found work as a short-order cook in a cramped diner. On
many shifts he worked alone, and had to cook a large number of meals on outdated equipment. Gary
found work in a modern hotel kitchen. He had a small staff helping him prepare a small number of
elaborate meals to order. Gary became a highly regarded chef, while Joe left the restaurant industry.
This example illustrates that an individual needs what in order to perform well?
A) ability and technical skills
B) motivation to perform
C) supportive work context
D) adequate compensation
E) feedback from superiors  
C

24. What term is used for a participative process that uses the entire capacity of employees and is
designed to encourage increased commitment to the organization's success?
A) MBO
B) employee involvement
C) reengineering
D) OB Mod
E) job sharing
B

25. What is the distinct characteristic common to all participative management programs?
A) joint decision making
B) autonomy
C) empowerment
D) productivity enhancement
E) quality awareness
A

26. Participative management is a method of management where ________.


A) subordinates make corporate decisions and management helps carry out those decisions
B) upper management participates in the organization's strategic planning
C) subordinates share a degree of decision-making power with their immediate superiors
D) low-level workers meet occasionally with the CEO to discuss problems within their department
E) low-level workers are responsible for making corporate policy decisions
C

27. Research studies conducted on the participation-performance relationship show that the use of
participation ________.
A) enhances job satisfaction
B) increases motivation
C) has only a modest influence on employee productivity
D) greatly influences employee attitudes
E) lowers costs considerably
B

28. Research shows that works councils tend to be ineffective for which of the following reasons?
A) Members of works council tend to side with management when making decisions for fear of being
punished.
B) Works councils represent the wishes of employees that are often at odds with the best direction of
an organization.
C) Works councils are dominated by management and their input has little impact on employees or the
organization.
D) Works councils insert an extra element into decision making which slows the response of an
organization to changing conditions.
E) Members of works councils are, in general, not qualified to make large decisions concerning the
direction of an organization.
A

29. What is the goal of representative participation?


A) for workers to own the firms where they work
B) to help workers' self-esteem
C) to provide greater motivation and productivity
D) to redistribute power within the organization
E) to empower high-level managers
C

30. Much of the compensation of traders at Synalco, a metals trading company, is in the form of stock
options. The amount of options distributed is based on the company's net profits. What sort of
compensation plan is this?
A) profit sharing
B) gainsharing
C) merit based
D) ESOP
E) employee ownership
A

Common questions

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Participative management enhances employee motivation by involving employees in decision-making processes, thereby increasing their commitment and satisfaction with the organization. The main characteristic of participative management is joint decision-making, where subordinates share a degree of power with their superiors, fostering a sense of empowerment and inclusion. This approach encourages a collaborative environment where employees are more likely to be motivated because they feel their contributions are valuable and impactful .

Job enrichment increases the degree to which workers control the planning, execution, and evaluation of their work. By giving employees more responsibility and autonomy, they can exercise more creativity and ownership over their tasks, which often leads to increased job satisfaction and intrinsic motivation. This holistic approach not only makes the job more engaging but also enhances the worker's commitment to their role and reduces turnover rates .

Profit-sharing plans impact employee behavior by aligning employee interests with company performance, motivating them to work toward the company's profitability. It incentivizes employees by offering them a share of the company's profits, encouraging higher productivity and engagement. An example of such a plan is at Synalco, where the amount of stock options provided to traders is based on the company's net profits. This creates a direct link between employee effort and their potential rewards, fostering a performance-driven culture .

The primary drawback of job sharing is the difficulty in finding compatible partners and coordinating their schedules. This can affect the implementation of job sharing as it requires significant cooperation and communication between the individuals sharing the job to maintain productivity and efficiency. When not managed well, it can lead to inconsistencies and challenges in workflow, impacting overall organizational performance .

Job rotation increases employee motivation by providing variety in tasks, which can reduce boredom and increase engagement. It exposes employees to different job functions, helping them develop new skills and a broader understanding of the organization. A practical example is a trucking company making its office staff work in the warehouse, performing activities like loading and cleaning trucks, which is a form of job rotation . This practice not only motivates employees but also builds a more flexible workforce, as employees gain insights into different areas of the company .

Task significance in job design refers to the degree to which a job has a substantial impact on other people, whether internally or externally to the organization. This dimension can significantly influence employees' perception of their work by instilling a sense of purpose and value in their tasks. When employees perceive their work as having meaningful consequences, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged, leading to higher job satisfaction and performance levels. This aspect of job design underscores the psychological need for meaningful work and its role in the intrinsic motivation of employees .

Flex time is an alternative work arrangement that allows employees to have greater control over their schedules. Benefits of flex time typically include reduced absenteeism, improved productivity, increased job satisfaction, and enhanced work-life balance . By allowing employees to adjust their work hours around their personal schedules, organizations can foster a more accommodating and motivating work environment .

Supportive work context is essential for individual performance because it provides the resources, environment, and social support necessary for individuals to apply their skills and achieve success. In the provided scenario, a chef thrived due to a modern kitchen and supportive staff, which facilitated his ability to focus on his tasks and develop his craft, leading to career success. In contrast, another individual working under less supportive conditions failed to progress, highlighting the pivotal role of the work environment in enabling skill application and professional growth .

The three core job dimensions that combine to create meaningful work in the Job Characteristics Model (JCM) are skill variety, task identity, and task significance. These dimensions contribute to the psychological state where the employee perceives their work as meaningful, which is essential for intrinsic motivation. Skill variety refers to the use of different skills and talents in performing a job, task identity relates to the degree to which a job requires completion of the whole piece of work, and task significance denotes the impact a job has on other people. Together, these dimensions help in designing jobs that are engaging and fulfilling, thereby leading to higher job satisfaction and motivation .

The goal of representative participation is to provide employees with greater motivation and productivity through involvement in decision-making processes, rather than simply having ownership of the firms. Unlike employee ownership, which focuses on financial stakes, representative participation aims to redistribute power within the organization to involve employees more directly in shaping the work environment and organizational policies. The intended outcome is a more inclusive and empowered workforce that actively contributes to the organization’s success .

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