Topic 4 - The Analysis and Design of Work (Ch. 4)

Work flow design

the process of analyzing the tasks necessary for the production of a product or service

Work-force analysis

identify the outputs of work, specify the quality and quantity standards for those outputs, and analyze the processes and inputs necessary for producing outputs that meet the quality standards

Organizational structure

the relatively stable and formal network of vertical and horizontal interconnections among jobs that constitute the organization

Centralization

degree to which decision-making authority resides at the top of the organizational chart

Departmentalization

degree to which work units are grouped based on functional similarity or similarity or work flow

Functional structure

employs a functional departmentalization scheme with relatively high levels of centralization

Divisional structure

employs a divisional departmentalization scheme with relatively low levels of centralization

Job analysis

the process of getting detailed information about jobs

Job description

a list of the tasks, duties, and responsibilities (TDRs) that a job entails

Job specification

a list of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics that an individual must have to perform a job

Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT)

born during the 1930s and served as a vehicle for helping the new public employment system link the demand for skills and the supply of skills in the U.S. workforce

Occupational Information Network (O*NET)

uses a common language that generalizes across jobs to describe the abilities, work styles, work activities, and work context required for various occupations that are more broadly defined, also took over the DOT

Job design

the process of defining the way work will be performed and the tasks that will be required in a given job

Mechanistic approach

focuses on identifying the simplest way to structure work that maximizes efficiency a.k.a. making the work so simple that anyone can be trained quickly and eaisly to perform it

Motivational approach

focuses on the job characteristics that affect psychological meaning and motivational potential