Question 1

Which of the following is NOT an example of a contextual factor?

Accepted Answer

Task identity is not a contextual factor, but rather a job characteristic that relates to the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work. The other options listed are all contextual factors that can influence job performance and satisfaction.

Question 2

When he learned he didn't get the promotion at work, Geoff decided he probably didn't want it anyway because he would have to learn a new set of skills and he already knew what he was doing in his current job. What tactic is Geoff using to reduce his inequity?

Accepted Answer

Geoff is using the tactic of shifting to a new reference group, as he is justifying his lack of promotion by convincing himself that he did not want it in the first place and focusing on his current job, instead of comparing himself to those who were promoted.

Question 3

What approach to job enrichment has been most recently identified?

Accepted Answer

The most recent approach to job enrichment is connecting employees to the people who benefit from their work, which is also known as job crafting. This approach allows employees to have a greater sense of meaning and purpose in their work by linking it to the impact it has on others. A and B are traditional methods of job enrichment, while D is not a form of job enrichment at all.

Question 4

Meredith's sales territory covers the Midwest and parts of Tennessee while Juan's territory is California and the West Coast. What criteria were used to form this natural team?

Accepted Answer

The sales territories are defined based on geographic regions. Meredith's territory covers the Midwest and parts of Tennessee, while Juan's territory is California and the West Coast. Therefore, the criteria used to form this natural team is geographic.

Question 5

In the United States, employees generally favor taking the initiative but the opposite of this is true in Mexico. What contextual factor creates this difference?

Accepted Answer

The difference in attitudes towards taking initiative between employees in the United States and Mexico is likely due to cultural values. In the US, individualism and a focus on achieving personal success are valued, which can lead to a preference for taking initiative. In Mexican culture, a collective identity and respect for hierarchy are more valued, which can lead to a preference for following established protocols and not taking initiative without direction from superiors.

Question 6

Which of these is NOT a component of the job characteristics model?

Accepted Answer

The components of the job characteristics model are skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and job feedback. Congruence is not a component of this model.

Question 7

Chelsea enjoys her job at the retail store. Even though she isn't the manager, she is allowed to make decisions regarding returns and advises the warehouse when additional stock is needed. Which job characteristic does Chelsea enjoy?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy refers to the degree to which an employee has control and discretion over their work and the ability to make decisions. In this case, Chelsea is able to make decisions regarding returns and advise the warehouse, indicating that she has a degree of autonomy in her job. Task significance and task identity refer to the importance and completion of a whole task or project, while job feedback refers to the information an employee receives about their performance.

Question 8

The levels of the job characteristics affect three critical psychological states: (1) meaningfulness, (2) responsibility, and (3)

Accepted Answer

The three critical psychological states affected by the levels of job characteristics are meaningfulness, responsibility, and feedback. Therefore, the correct answer is A) feedback.

Question 9

Micah works as an insurance adjustor and is responsible for all automobile claims. Her coworker is responsible for all household claims. What criteria were used to form this natural team?

Accepted Answer

The criteria used to form this natural team is based on the types of business (automobile claims vs. household claims), indicating a division of work responsibilities according to the nature of the claims being handled.

Question 10

______ is the extent to which an employee perceives their job as having a substantial impact on the lives of others.

Accepted Answer

Task significance refers to the degree to which an employee's job has an impact on the lives of others. High task significance can lead to a greater sense of purpose and engagement in the job, as employees feel that their work is meaningful and makes a difference.

Question 11

The extent to which an individual desires the opportunity for self-direction, learning, and personal accomplishment at work is called

Accepted Answer

Growth-need strength refers to the extent to which an individual desires opportunities for personal accomplishment, learning, and self-direction in their job. It is a concept related to motivation and how much a person wants to grow and develop in their career.

Question 12

In Teams Competency: The financial company, SEI Investments, believes that team leaders should be selected by

Accepted Answer

SEI Investments believes that team leaders should be selected by coworkers, as they are likely to have the best understanding of the dynamics and needs of the team.

Question 13

________ is the extent to which a job requires a variety of employee competencies to carry out the work.

Accepted Answer

Skill variety refers to the extent to which a job requires a range of different abilities and talents to perform the tasks involved. A job with high skill variety means that employees need to use different skills and knowledge to carry out their work.

Question 14

Cameron enjoys his job because his company installs water filtration systems in developing countries and many families are benefitting from this. Which aspect of the job characteristics model does this exemplify?

Accepted Answer

Cameron's job satisfies the task significance aspect of the job characteristics model because he is aware of the impact his company's services have on families in developing countries.

Question 15

According to equity theory, employees make decisions regarding equity after they

Accepted Answer

According to equity theory, employees compare their inputs (time, effort, skills) to their outcomes (salary, benefits, recognition) with comparable employees to assess whether they are being treated fairly. If they perceive inequity, they may try to restore equity by making changes to their inputs (e.g. reducing effort) or outcomes (e.g. asking for a raise). Meeting with management or reviewing past commitments may not necessarily address the issue of equity. Reorganizing reference groups may be a strategy for seeking out more favorable comparisons, but it is not the primary decision-making process in equity theory.

Question 16

Task _____ is the extent to which a job requires an employee to complete a whole and identifiable piece of work from beginning to end.

Accepted Answer

Task identity is the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work, meaning that an employee does a task from start to finish with a visible outcome.

Question 17

_____ is the delegation to employees of responsibilities and tasks that were formerly reserved for management or staff specialists.

Accepted Answer

Vertical loading, also known as job enrichment, involves delegating responsibilities and tasks to lower-level employees that were previously reserved for management or staff specialists. This can help to increase employee motivation and satisfaction, as well as improve the organization's overall effectiveness. Contextual factors refer to the situational or environmental factors that may affect organizational behavior, while natural teams and growth-need strength are not directly related to the delegation of responsibilities.

Question 18

According to the job characteristics model, both experienced responsibility and ________ must be present for high internal job motivation.

Accepted Answer

According to the job characteristics model, for high internal job motivation to be present, both experienced responsibility for outcomes of the work and knowledge of the actual results of the work activities (knowledge of results) must be present. This model suggests that knowing the outcome of one's work and feeling responsible for the outcome can significantly enhance an employee's motivation.

Question 19

Which of these workers is using vertical loading?

Accepted Answer

Vertical loading involves giving employees more control over their work, such as setting their own schedules, which is what Bethany allows her employees to do.

Question 20

Monica feels she is paid appropriately for her entry-level position because her friend Trisha makes the same amount at her company. This demonstrates the idea of

Accepted Answer

Monica is using the equity theory, which suggests that individuals compare their inputs and outcomes (such as effort and pay) to those of others in order to determine whether they are being treated fairly. Monica believes that she is being treated fairly because she and her friend Trisha are being paid the same amount for the same level of work. This is an example of equity, or the perception that one's inputs and outcomes are proportional to those of others.

Quiz 5: Motivating Employees