Chapter 2

Question 1

Autonomy

Answer 1

in a job context, independence – having control over one’s work and one’s response to the work environment

Question 2

Combination

Answer 2

concurrent use of two or more job analysis techniques (e.g. interviews and observation)

Question 3

Competency

Answer 3

a knowledge, skill, ability, or characteristic associated with successful job performance

Question 4

competency matrix

Answer 4

a list of the level of each competency required for each of a number of jobs

Question 5

competency model (competency framework)

Answer 5

a list of competencies required in a particular job

Question 6

efficiency

Answer 6

achieving maximal output with minimal input

Question 7

employee log

Answer 7

approach to collecting job- and performance-related information by asking the jobholder to summarize tasks, activities, and challenges in a diary format.

Question 8

environmental considerations

Answer 8

the influence of the external environment on job design. Includes employee ability, availability, and social expectations.

Question 9

Ergonomics

Answer 9

the study of relationships between physical attributes of workers and their work environment to reduce physical and mental strain and increase productivity and quality of work life.

Question 10

Feedback

Answer 10

Information that helps evaluate the success or failure of an action or system

Question 11

focus group

Answer 11

a face-to-face meeting with five to seven knowledgeable experts on a job and a facilitator to collect job and performance-related information

Question 12

interview

Answer 12

approach to collecting job- and performance-related information by face-to-face meeting with the job holder, typically using a standardized checklist of questions

Question 13

job

Answer 13

a group of related activities or duties

Question 14

job analysis

Answer 14

systematic study of a job to discover its specifications, skill requirements, and so on, for wage-setting, recruitment, training, or job design purposes.

Question 15

job analysis questionnaires

Answer 15

checklists used to collect information about jobs in a uniform manner

Question 16

job code

Answer 16

a code that uses numbers, letters, or both to provide a quick summary of the job and its content.

Question 17

job description

Answer 17

a recognized list of functions, tasks, accountabilities, working conditions, and competencies for a particular occupation or job

Question 18

job design

Answer 18

identification of job duties, characteristics, competencies, and sequences taking into consideration technology, workforce, organization character, and environment

Question 19

job enlargement

Answer 19

adding more tasks to a job to increase the job cycle and draw on a wider range of employee skills

Question 20

job enrichment

Answer 20

adding more responsibilities and autonomy to a job, giving the worker greater powers to plan, do and evaluate job performance

Question 21

job families

Answer 21

groups of different jobs that are closely related by similar duties, responsibilities, skills, or job elements

Question 22

job identity

Answer 22

key part of a job description, including job title, location, and status.

Question 23

job performance standards

Answer 23

the work performance expected from an employee on a particular job

Question 24

job rotation

Answer 24

moving employees from one job to another to allow them more variety and to learn new skills.

Question 25

job specification

Answer 25

a written statement that explains what a job demands of jobholders and the human skills and factors required

Question 26

questionnaires

Answer 26

standardized surveys to collect information about jobs, working conditions, and other performance related information

Question 27

National Occupational Classification (NOC)

Answer 27

an occupational classification created by federal government using skill level and skill types of jobs

Question 28

Observation

Answer 28

an approach to collecting job- and performance-related information by direct observation of jobholder by a specialist

Question 29

Position

Answer 29

collection of tasks and responsibilities performed by an individual

Question 30

Questionnaires

Answer 30

standardized surveys to collect information about jobs, working conditions, and other performance-related information

Question 31

social expectations

Answer 31

the larger society’s expectations about job challenge, working conditions, and quality of work life.

Question 32

task identity

Answer 32

the feeling of responsibility or pride that results from doing an entire piece of work, not just a small part of it

Question 33

task significance

Answer 33

knowing that the work one does is important to others in the organization or to outsiders

Question 34

variety

Answer 34

an attribute of jobs wherein the worker has the opportunity to use different skills and abilities, or perform different activities

Question 35

work flow

Answer 35

the sequence of and balance between jobs in an organization needed to produce the firm’s goods or services

Question 36

work practices

Answer 36

the set ways of performing work in an organization

Question 37

working conditions

Answer 37

facts about the situation in which the worker acts. Includes physical environment, hours, hazards, travel requirements, and so on, associated with the job.