Chapter 8

Question 1

the way the elements in a job are organized

Answer 1

job design

Question 2

a model proposing that any job can be described in terms of five core job dimensions: skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback

Answer 2

job characteristics model

Question 3

the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities

Answer 3

skill variety

Question 4

the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work

Answer 4

task identity

Question 5

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

Answer 5

task significance

Question 6

the degree to which a job provides substantial freedom and discretion to the individual in scheduling the work and in determining the procedures to be used in carrying it out

Answer 6

autonomy

Question 7

the degree to which carrying out the work activities required by a job results in the individual obtaining direct and clear information about the effectiveness of his or her performance

Answer 7

feedback

Question 8

a predictive index that suggests the motivating potential in a job

Answer 8

motivating potential score

Question 9

the periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another

Answer 9

job rotation

Question 10

adding high-level responsibilities to a job to increase intrinsic motivation

Answer 10

job enrichment

Question 11

constructing job so employees see the positive difference they can make in the lives of others directly through their work

Answer 11

relational job design

Question 12

flexible work hours

Answer 12

flextime

Question 13

working from home at least 2 days a week through virtual devices that are linked to the employer’s office

Answer 13

telecommuting

Question 14

the worth of the job to the organization

Answer 14

internal equity

Question 15

the competitiveness of an organization’s pay relative to pay in its industry

Answer 15

external equity

Question 16

a participative process that uses the input of employees to increase employee commitment to organizational success

Answer 16

employee involvement and participation

Question 17

a process i which subordinates share a significant degree of decision-making power with their immediate superiors

Answer 17

participative management

Question 18

a system in which workers participate in organizational decision-making through a small group of representative employees

Answer 18

representative participation

Question 19

a pay plan that bases a portion or all of an employee’s pay on some individual and/or organizational measure of performance

Answer 19

variable-pay program

Question 20

a pay plan in which workers are paid a fixed sum for each unit of production completed

Answer 20

piece-rate pay plan

Question 21

a pay plan based on performance appraisal ratings

Answer 21

merit-based pay plan

Question 22

a pay plan that rewards employees for recent performance rather than historical performance

Answer 22

bonus

Question 23

an organization-wide program that distributes compensation based on some established formula designed around a company’s profitability

Answer 23

profit-sharing plan

Question 24

a company-established benefits plan in which employees acquire stock, often at below-market prices, as part of their benefits

Answer 24

employee stock ownership plan

Question 25

a benefits plan that allows each employee to put together a benefits package tailored to his or her own needs and situation

Answer 25

flexible benefits

Question 26

a plan to encourage specific employee behaviors by formally appreciating specific employee contributions

Answer 26

employee recognition program