WORKERS' ADAPTATION ENABLES WORK FUNCTIONING1

Abstract

In this study, a proposition derived from Functional Job Analysis theory was tested: that workers' adaptive skills are necessary for enabling the operation of functional skills termed Things, Data, and People in the workplace. Restated in broader terms, the veracity of the principle that workers' adaptation enables work functioning was assessed. 29 study participants were assessed on 12 theoretically derived adaptive skills using an in-depth interview methodology. The substantive complexity of the participants' present jobs was estimated by rating them on Things, Data, and People functional skills. Predictive Analysis provided strong support for the hypothesis that workers' adaptive skills enable the operation of functional skills in the workplace. Participants scored markedly better on some adaptive skills than on others. Implications are discussed for workplace adaptation and successful work functioning.