4 Psychology of Microeconomics processes I

Question 1

Work Analysis

What are the motives of an work analysis?

Answer 1

• will inform businesses about the particular kind of work with its strengths and weak- nesses,
• will provide insights about the skills and job requirements for the work,
• can be used for estimating salaries, and
• can improve work safety.

Question 2

Work Analysis

What ar the steps of conducting a work analysis?

Answer 2

1. Determining the goals of the analysis: One should familiarize oneself with the business organization.
2. Selection of analysis methods
3. Data collection
4. Data analysis
5. Report and feedback to the business
6. Development of work design interventions: Suggestions regarding changes of work
   design based on the analysis are developed together with the client and relevant
   organizational units.
7. Implementation of work design interventions.
8. Evaluation of the work design interventions.

Question 3

Work Analysis

What methods can be used when conducting a work analysis?

Answer 3

• interviews - for qualitative data
• questionnaires - for quantitative data
• case studies
• field experiments
• observation - for interpretation
• physiological measurements
• physical measurements

Question 4

Work Analysis

What tools can be used for work analysis?

Answer 4

1.** Job-Diagnostic Survey JDS** - developed by Hackman and Oldham (Hackman & Oldham, 1975). It is a standardized questionnaire to determine unused motiva- tion potentials of jobs and evaluate the effects of job changes. The questionnaire is based on the job-characteristics model

2.Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ) is a questionnaire developed by Morgeson and Humphrey (2006) to pinpoint weaknesses in the design and organization of work. In contrast to the JDS, the WDQ does not only focus motivational job related factors but tries to assess the work as a whole. The questionnaires probes motivational, social and environmental aspects of work. It is a general questionnaire that can be used for all types of work.

Question 5

Work Design

What are the key questions during the work design planning process?

Answer 5

1. Can the work be sustained long-term?
2. Will the work cause no harm?
3. Are temporary impairments without negative consequences?
4. Is personal development promoted?

Question 6

Work Design

What are the work-related items for work design according to Kauffeld?

Answer 6

• Work equipment: Tools, furniture, hardware, software.
• Workplace: Ergonomic design considering posture and tool use.
• Work environment: Safe physical conditions (ventilation, light, temperature, noise, chemical, biological, and hygienic safety).

Question 7

Work Design

What are the motivating factors of job design according Hackman & Oldham?

Answer 7

• Variety and development of skills.
• Autonomy in task implementation.
• Clear significance of job contribution.
• Feedback on job performance from colleagues or managers

(skill variety, skill identity, task significance, autonomy, feedback)

Question 8

Work Design

What are flexible variations of work structure?

Answer 8

• Job rotation: Switching tasks periodically to promote learning and prevent monotony.
• Job enlargement: Extending skill sets with related tasks (horizontal extension).
• Job enrichment: Performing tasks that precede or follow the core job (vertical extension).
• Job crafting: Employees modify or extend core job tasks.

Question 9

Work Design

What are the factors condisered in work design?

Answer 9

1. work equipment
2. workplace
3. work environment
4. job design
5. work structure
6. working hours
7. team design

Question 10

Psychology of Job Satisfaction

What are the Facets of Job Satisfaction according to Smith?

Answer 10

• Extrinsic: Pay, promotion.
• Intrinsic: Colleagues, supervisors, the work itself

Question 11

Psychology of Job Satisfaction

What are the 5 statements to meassure the Overall Job Satisfaction according to Judge?

Answer 11

1. Fair satisfaction with present job.
2. Enthusiasm about work.
3. Perception of work day length.
4. Enjoyment in work.
5. Job unpleasantness.

Question 12

Psychology of Job Satisfaction

Apart from the Job Characteristics model, what other factors influence job satisfaction?

Answer 12

Personality Traits (Judge & Klinger, 2020):
* Neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness are related to job satisfaction.

Question 13

Psychology of Workload

What are the types of stress?

Answer 13

Eustress: Positive, motivating stress.
Distress: Negative, harmful stress.
Stress is subjective; stressors vary by individual perception.

Question 14

Psychology of Workload

What job factors make you prone to stress?

Answer 14

• Little control.
• High likelihood of interruptions (e.g., nursing).
• High emotional regulation demands (e.g., customer service).

Question 15

Psychology of Workload

What are the 3 stages of the Selye’s Stress Model?

Answer 15

1. Alarm Reaction Stage: Body releases stress hormones (adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol).
2. Resistance Stage: Body attempts to resist stressor, can easily reactivate.
3. Exhaustion Stage: Prolonged exposure leads to vulnerability to health issues.

Question 16

Psychology of Workload

What are the two steps of thought process in the Lazarus’ Transactional Model of Stress?

Answer 16

• Primary Appraisal: Evaluates relevance of incoming information.
• Secondary Appraisal: Assesses resources to cope with stressor.

Coping Strategies:
Problem-Focused Coping: Addressing the stressor directly.
Emotion-Focused Coping: Regulating emotional response to stressor.

Question 17

Psychology of Workload

What are the consequences of stress?

Answer 17

Mental Health:
* Depression, absenteeism, counterproductive behavior (e.g., theft).
* Burnout: Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced performance.

• Mental vs. Physical Illness: Mental illnesses lead to more sick days and are rising in prevalence.