Job Design and Work Arrangements
2
Key Distinction
Enrichment (depth) vs enlargement (breadth)
5
JCM Characteristics
Skill variety task identity significance autonomy feedback
4
Flex Arrangements
Telecommuting compressed flextime job sharing
Enrichment vs Enlargement
Enrichment adds DEPTH (more responsibility). Enlargement adds BREADTH (more tasks, same level).
Enrichment (Vertical)
- More decision-making authority
- Greater ownership of outcomes
- Planning and scheduling control
- Direct feedback from the work itself
Enlargement (Horizontal)
- Additional tasks at same level
- Broader skill utilization
- More variety in daily work
- No increase in authority or autonomy
Hackman-Oldman Job Characteristics Model
five characteristics, three states, measurable outcomesExperienced Meaningfulness
Experienced Responsibility
Knowledge of Results
Flexible Work Arrangements
Telecommuting
Working from a remote location, usually home. May be full-time or hybrid.
Compressed Workweek
Full hours in fewer days (e.g., four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days).
Flextime
Employee chooses start and end times within employer-defined boundaries.
Job Sharing
Two part-time employees share the responsibilities of one full-time position.
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Practice questions on enrichment vs enlargement, JCM, and flexible work arrangements
Practice NowExam Traps
Enrichment Means DEPTH, Enlargement Means BREADTH
This is the most confused pair of terms in job design. Enrichment adds vertical responsibility (more authority, decision-making, ownership). Enlargement adds horizontal tasks (more work at the same level). The exam will try to make you swap them.
Hackman-Oldman Maps 5 to 3 to Outcomes
Five core job characteristics lead to three critical psychological states which produce measurable outcomes. The exam may ask you to trace a specific characteristic to its psychological state. Know the mapping, not just the list.
Which Characteristic Maps to Which State
Skill variety, task identity, and task significance all map to experienced meaningfulness. Autonomy maps to experienced responsibility. Feedback maps to knowledge of results. The exam tests these specific connections.
Depth vs Width
Enrichment goes deeper (more responsibility). Enlargement goes wider (more tasks at the same level). Never confuse these.
JCM Flow
5 characteristics produce 3 psychological states which drive outcomes. The exam tests the mapping between them.
The cook already makes pasta. Now you ask them to also wash dishes and chop vegetables. More work, same authority, same pay grade. The job got wider but not deeper.
The cook now designs the menu, selects suppliers, and trains new cooks. Same person, but the job gained depth, authority, and ownership. This is what motivates people according to Herzberg.
Monday the cook works the grill. Tuesday they work the salad station. Wednesday they work desserts. The tasks change but the level stays the same. Broadens skills without adding depth or load.
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