Question 1

Managers at Flavors, a restaurant chain, train their employees such that in the absence of employees, someone trained in the same skills can step in and do the job equally well. Thus, many modules in training are extensive as they provide employees with details of the skill sets required for different jobs. In practice, this lengthy training program does help the company as a well-trained and flexible workforce is at their disposal at all times. The managers at Flavors use ________.
A) job rotation
B) job sharing
C) telecommuting
D) vertical enhancement
E) flextime

Accepted Answer

The managers at Flavors use job rotation by training employees extensively in different skill sets so that they can step in and do someone else's job if needed.

Question 2

________ is an extrinsic means of motivation.
A) Recognition
B) Flexibility
C) Salary
D) Responsibility
E) Autonomy

Accepted Answer

Salary is an extrinsic means of motivation as it originates from an external source and is not related to an individual's personal satisfaction or interest. It is usually provided by an organization to compensate for an employee's services or work done.

Question 3

With reference to the job characteristics model, which of the following defines task identity?
A) the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities
B) the degree to which work activities generate direct and clear information about performance
C) the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
D) the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure
E) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work

Accepted Answer

Task identity refers to the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work. It is the extent to which a worker can see the contribution of their individual efforts to the overall outcome of the task or project.

Question 4

CalTrack Services has been facing employee-related issues like decreased productivity, low morale, and poor organizational commitment in recent times. At a meeting to discuss strategies to address these issues of immediate concern, Joe McEnroe, the production manager, proposed that the roles of employees working on key projects be enhanced to increase autonomy. He felt that this would enhance productivity, motivation, and accountability. Taking a cue from McEnroe, Paul Wilbur suggested job rotation as a solution to the problem they were facing. Paul felt that a change of job roles would make the employees keener to learn and perform. He emphasized that job rotation would help management create a larger skill base to choose from, depending on the needs of specific projects.
-Which of the following, if true, would weaken the argument of adopting job rotation?
A) The company has been conducting professional training programs to keep all employees up-to-date with the developments in the field.
B) The company is now entering its busiest business season with multiple project deadlines.
C) The research evidence favoring job rotation has rarely used samples from the service industry.
D) AmWeb, one of the major rival firms, witnessed a substantial rise in profits following its cross-training program for employees.
E) The employees of the company have similar skill sets which are suited to transfer of learning.

Accepted Answer

Implementing job rotation during the busiest business season with multiple project deadlines could disrupt workflow and decrease productivity, thereby weakening the argument for adopting job rotation at this time.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true of the job characteristics model?
A) The operation of the model requires employees to have similar skill sets.
B) The operation of the model fulfils only extrinsic motivational needs.
C) The operation of the model cannot be quantitatively measured.
D) The operation of the model is relatively individualistic in nature.
E) The operation of the model is universal and unaffected by cultural factors.

Accepted Answer

The job characteristics model is relatively individualistic in nature, as it focuses on the unique needs and interests of individual employees in order to facilitate intrinsic motivation. It does not require employees to have similar skill sets, and can be quantitatively measured. However, it may be affected by cultural factors and may not be universally applicable in all situations.

Question 6

One of the methods of job enrichment is to expand jobs vertically. This method involves modifying the ________ dimension of the job.
A) task significance
B) autonomy
C) skill variety
D) task identity
E) feedback

Accepted Answer

Expanding jobs vertically involves increasing the level of autonomy, giving employees more control and responsibility over their work.

Question 7

Job enrichment is the process of ________.
A) periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another with similar skill requirements at the same organizational level
B) expansion of jobs by increasing the degree to which the worker controls the planning, execution, and evaluation of the work
C) evaluation of an employee wherein subordinates, peers, and managers provide comprehensive feedback
D) distribution of a significant degree of power between subordinates and supervisors
E) redistribution of power within the organization through work councils and board representations

Accepted Answer

Job enrichment refers to increasing the level of control and autonomy that an employee has over their work. This can be done by expanding their job responsibilities and allowing them to take on tasks that were previously done by a supervisor or manager. It ultimately leads to a more fulfilling and engaging work experience for the employee.

Question 8

Adam Sears is an assembly line employee with Swenson Motors. Though Adam is popular among his supervisors and colleagues, Adam experiences low morale and lack of motivation. He feels frustrated that his job is restricted to fixing nuts and bolts on the car parts. He fears that he has no chances of advancing in his career as he cannot completely assemble a car. Which of the following is true with regard to Adam?
A) Adam's job has low task identity.
B) Adam's job has high task complexity.
C) Adam's job has low role definition.
D) Adam's job has high task significance.
E) Adam's job has a high span of control.

Accepted Answer

Adam's job has low task identity because he only fixes nuts and bolts on car parts, which is a small and isolated task that does not allow him to see the bigger picture of the final product.

Question 9

According to the job characteristics model, autonomy is defined as the degree to which ________.
A) a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) a job provides the worker freedom, independence, and discretion
C) a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
D) a job generates direct and clear information about performance
E) a job requires a variety of different activities

Accepted Answer

Autonomy is defined as the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom, independence, and discretion. This means that the worker has a certain level of control over how they perform their job tasks and the decision-making involved in those tasks. Answer A refers to task identity, answer C refers to task significance, answer D refers to feedback, and answer E refers to skill variety, all of which are separate components of the job characteristics model.

Question 10

Samantha Barnes is an emergency medical technician. Recently, during an emergency call, she was able to resuscitate a man who had a cardiac arrest. Subsequently, she spent some time calming the 12-year-old daughter of the patient and looked after her till the rest of the patient's family arrived at the hospital. Based on this description, it can be concluded that Samantha's job is high in ________.
A) task significance
B) feedback
C) extrinsic rewards
D) task identity
E) job rotation

Accepted Answer

Samantha's job is high in task significance because her actions have a substantial impact on the lives of others, as demonstrated by saving a life and providing emotional support to the patient's daughter.

Question 11

CalTrack Services has been facing employee-related issues like decreased productivity, low morale, and poor organizational commitment in recent times. At a meeting to discuss strategies to address these issues of immediate concern, Joe McEnroe, the production manager, proposed that the roles of employees working on key projects be enhanced to increase autonomy. He felt that this would enhance productivity, motivation, and accountability. Taking a cue from McEnroe, Paul Wilbur suggested job rotation as a solution to the problem they were facing. Paul felt that a change of job roles would make the employees keener to learn and perform. He emphasized that job rotation would help management create a larger skill base to choose from, depending on the needs of specific projects.
-Which of the following, if true, would strengthen the argument in favor of adopting job rotation?
A) The company has launched a new brand which is cannibalizing one of its existing products.
B) Two front-level managers have resigned in the last quarter as they were not promoted.
C) The company is currently facing numerous budget constraints.
D) The company can enhance productivity of existing employees in various areas for different projects.
E) The company has recently given employees new responsibilities by combining their routine tasks into natural work units.

Accepted Answer

Enhancing productivity of existing employees in various areas for different projects supports the argument for job rotation, as it suggests that employees can become more versatile and effective through exposure to different roles.

Question 12

Which of the following series of dimensions of the job characteristics model (JCM) combine to create meaningful work?
A) feedback, task identity, and task significance
B) skill variety, task identity, and task significance
C) skill variety, autonomy, and feedback
D) autonomy, task identity, and feedback
E) skill variety, autonomy, and task significance

Accepted Answer

According to the JCM, meaningful work is created by combining skill variety, task identity, and task significance. Autonomy and feedback are also important dimensions of the JCM, but they do not necessarily contribute to creating meaningful work on their own.

Question 13

According to the job characteristics model, task significance is the degree to which ________.
A) a job generates direct and clear information about performance
B) a job bears an impact on the lives or work of other people
C) a job requires a variety of different activities
D) a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
E) a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling work and determining its procedure

Accepted Answer

Task significance refers to the degree to which a job has a substantial impact on the lives or work of other people.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is true regarding job rotation?
A) It decreases employee motivation.
B) It decreases productivity in the short-run.
C) It decreases the flexibility with which an organization can adapt to a change.
D) It decreases the flexibility in scheduling work.
E) It decreases supervisory workload.

Accepted Answer

Job rotation can decrease productivity in the short-run as employees need time to learn and adapt to new roles and responsibilities.

Question 15

According to the job characteristics model, ________ indicates the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about your own performance.
A) feedback
B) task identity
C) skill variety
D) autonomy
E) task significance

Accepted Answer

Feedback indicates the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about your own performance.

Question 16

A prerequisite condition for job rotation is the ________.
A) presence of high level of autonomy among workers
B) presence of employee involvement programs
C) presence of alternative work arrangements for employees to avail
D) presence of employees with similar skill sets and requirements
E) presence of high need for affiliation among workers

Accepted Answer

Job rotation requires employees to have similar skill sets and requirements to ensure they can effectively switch roles without significant additional training.

Question 17

The core dimensions of the job characteristics model can be combined into a single predictive index called ________.
A) job diagnostic score
B) personal outcome score
C) potential development score
D) motivating potential score
E) extrinsic motivation score

Accepted Answer

The motivating potential score (MPS) is calculated by combining the core dimensions of the job characteristics model - skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback - to create a single score that predicts the extent to which a job is likely to motivate employees.

Question 18

The periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another with similar skill requirements at the same organizational level is defined as ________.
A) job enrichment
B) job analysis
C) job rotation
D) job sharing
E) job enlargement

Accepted Answer

Job rotation involves periodically shifting an employee from one task to another with similar skill requirements at the same organizational level. This is typically done to provide employees with a broader range of skills and experiences, and to reduce the risk of boredom and burnout on the job. Job enrichment involves adding more complexity and responsibility to a job, while job enlargement involves adding more tasks to a job without necessarily increasing complexity or responsibility. Job sharing involves two or more employees sharing a single full-time job. Job analysis involves a systematic evaluation of the tasks, responsibilities, and requirements of a job.

Question 19

With reference to the job characteristics model, which of the following defines skill variety?
A) the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
B) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
C) the degree to which work activities generate direct and clear information about performance
D) the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure
E) the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities tapping different abilities

Accepted Answer

Skill variety refers to the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities tapping different abilities. This means that the worker must use different skills and talents to complete tasks, which can enhance feelings of personal accomplishment and challenge.

Question 20

Job design is defined as the ________.
A) degree to which the job rewards competence
B) degree of decision-making power with the immediate superiors
C) way the elements in a job are organized
D) degree to which the job contributes to profit margins
E) way the job is evaluated in terms of its relative worth to other jobs

Accepted Answer

Job design refers to the way tasks are organized in a job, including the tasks themselves, the methods used to complete them, and how they relate to other tasks in the organization. Job design also includes factors such as skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback, which contribute to employee motivation and satisfaction. A, B, D, and E are related to other aspects of job analysis and evaluation, but do not directly refer to job design.

Quiz 8: Motivation: From Concepts to Applications

________ is an extrinsic means of motivation.

With reference to the job characteristics model, which of the following defines task identity?

Which of the following statements is true of the job characteristics model?

One of the methods of job enrichment is to expand jobs vertically. This method involves modifying the ________ dimension of the job.

Job enrichment is the process of ________.

According to the job characteristics model, autonomy is defined as the degree to which ________.

Which of the following series of dimensions of the job characteristics model (JCM) combine to create meaningful work?

According to the job characteristics model, task significance is the degree to which ________.

Which of the following statements is true regarding job rotation?

According to the job characteristics model, ________ indicates the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about your own performance.

A prerequisite condition for job rotation is the ________.

The core dimensions of the job characteristics model can be combined into a single predictive index called ________.

The periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another with similar skill requirements at the same organizational level is defined as ________.

With reference to the job characteristics model, which of the following defines skill variety?

Job design is defined as the ________.