Perceived Job Characteristics Research Articles

Prevention through job design: Identifying high-risk job characteristics associated with workplace bullying.

Work environment hypothesis, a predominant theoretical framework in workplace bullying literature, postulates that job characteristics may trigger workplace bullying. Yet, these characteristics are often assessed by employees based on their experience of the job. This study aims to assess how job characteristics, independently assessed via Occupational Information Network (O*NET), are related to perceived job characteristics reported by employees, which, in turn, are associated with self-reported workplace bullying. Multilevel mediation analyses from 3,829 employees in 209 occupations confirmed that employees, whose work schedules are more irregular and whose work involves a higher level of conflictual contact (as assessed by O*NET), report experiencing higher job demands, which are associated with higher exposure to bullying. Moreover, employees working in jobs structured to allow for more discretion in decision-making (as assessed by O*NET) report experiencing more job autonomy and are less likely to experience bullying. The results offer some clues as to how the way in which a job is structured is related to how that job is perceived, which in turn is associated with exposure to bullying. Our findings also suggest that a job design perspective to redesign certain job characteristics may offer an additional viable approach to prevent workplace bullying. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Trait expression through perceived job characteristics: A meta-analytic path model linking personality and job attitudes

Research has provided considerable support for the dispositional basis of job attitudes. However, the theoretical mechanisms that mediate such personality trait-job attitude relationships have been less forthcoming. Drawing from five-factor theory and self-verification theory, in the present study we developed and tested a meta-analytic path model linking the five-factor model (FFM) of personality to overall job attitudes (i.e., job satisfaction and affective organizational commitment) through employees' perceptions of task and social job characteristics. In doing so, we reveal important work features through which each FFM trait is expressed to shape employee job attitudes. We discuss the implications of our results for both theory and practice and highlight future research directions for both personality trait and job attitudes inquiry.

Core Self-Evaluations, Perceived Job Characteristics and Job Satisfaction: Evidence from Two Independent Samples of Highly Skilled Argentinian Workers

This study examined the mediating role of perceived job characteristics in the relationship between core self-evaluations (CSEs) and job satisfaction. Data were collected from two independent samples of highly skilled workers in Argentina (190 scholars and 116 managers). The results from the structural equation modeling analysis revealed that perceived job characteristics partly mediated the relationship between CSEs and job satisfaction in both samples (32% in sample 1 and 65% in sample 2), suggesting that those individuals with higher CSEs tended to perceive their jobs as more resourceful (i.e., more rewarding, secure, and supportive), which increased their levels of job satisfaction. ese findings were consistent with those reported in North-American and European organizational settings, which provided further support to the universality and cross-cultural generalizability of the CSE construct.

Perception of Job Characteristics and Internal Motivation in Medical Records Staff

Perception of Job Characteristics and Internal Motivation in Medical Records Staff

Enhancing sustainable performance through job characteristics via workplace spirituality

PurposeThis paper aims to provide empirical evidence of the associations between perceived job characteristics and workplace spirituality with environmental sustainability within the domain of small- and medium-sized enterprises. This study aims to investigate the influence of perceived job characteristics (job identity, task significance and task variety) on environmental sustainability through workplace spirituality.Design/methodology/approachData are collected from 400 small and medium enterprises (SME) employees working in New Delhi, India, and Islamabad, Pakistan. Response rate in this study is 58 per cent. Structural equation modeling has been used to analyze the data through SmartPLS 3.0 and SPSS version 24.FindingsThe results indicate that perceived job characteristics have significant positive influence over workplace spirituality. It is concluded that workplace spirituality also significantly mediates the relationship between perceived job characteristics and environmental sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsIn the present study, perceived job characteristics have been evaluated to improve environmental sustainability in SMEs from Pakistan and India. Therefore, before generalization in the context of other countries can be made, the results obtained may need some modifications.Practical implicationsThe research concerns the understanding of various job characteristics and environmental sustainability from the viewpoint of employees in SMEs at imparting perceived job characteristics as important factors to meet challenges relevant to environmental sustainability in the dynamic market.Social implicationsThere is anecdotal evidence claiming the pivotal role of job characteristics and workplace spirituality toward the recognition of sustainability in the progressive dynamic market. The results of this study represent the effectiveness of perceived job characteristics for accomplishing social objectives through workplace spirituality.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the field by bringing together the concepts of workplace spirituality with perceived job characteristics and environmental sustainability in the context of Pakistani and Indian SMEs.

THE MODERATING EFFECT OF SELF-EFFICACY IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED JOB CHARACTERISTICS AND WORK ENGAGEMENT

Although much research attention has been given to study the effect of perceived job characteristics on various work outcomes, few have specifically examined the joint effect of perceived job characteristics and self-efficacy on employee work engagement. This study aimed to examine the role of self-efficacy as a moderator in the perceived job characteristics-work engagement relationship. A total of 646 employees from the healthcare sector in Malaysia participated in this study. A moderated hierarchical regression analysis revealed a positive effect of job characteristics (autonomy, skill variety, feedback, task significance, task identity) with work engagement and a significant interaction between task identity and self-efficacy in predicting employee work engagement. Managerial implications and directions for future research are discussed.
 Keywords: Job Characteristics, Autonomy, Task Identity, Self-Efficacy, Work Engagement

Discussion of the relationship between perceived job characteristics and organizational commitment of university PE teachers-from the aspect of job stress

This study aims to discuss the current conditions and relations between university PE teachers’ perceived job characteristics and organizational commitment as well as the predictability of university PE teachers’ perceived job characteristics on organizational commitment. Taking university PE teachers in Jiangsu and Zhejiang area, China, as the research objects, questionnaire survey is used for discussing the relations among university PE teachers’ job stress, perceived job characteristics, and organizational commitment. With Stratified Random Sampling, total 500 copies of questionnaire are distributed and 395 valid copies are retrieved. The Multiple Stepwise Regression Analysis results show the significantly positive relations between job characteristics and organizational commitment, the remarkably positive relations between job characteristics and job stress, and partial mediation effects of job stress on the relations between job characteristics and organizational commitment. Suggestions for relevant policies are therefore proposed for the reference of relative units and successive research.

The Mediating Role of Job Embeddedness Fit: Perceived Job Characteristics and Turnover Intention in the Services Sector

Organizations able to retain their human resources have an advantage over their competitors. Employee turnover adversely affects the stability of the workforce and carries the cost of having to hire and train new personnel. Employee retention is, therefore, a priority for senior management. This study explores the mediating impact of employee fit in terms of organizational job embeddedness on the relationship between job characteristics and employees’ intention to quit. Based on a sample of 375 employees working in a private commercial bank in Pakistan, we find that job identity, job significance and task variety have a significant negative effect on intention to quit. Job variety has the greatest impact on turnover intention. Organizational job embeddedness fit mediates the relationship between two of three job characteristics – job identity and significance – and turnover intention, but not the latter’s relationship with perceived task variety. Thus, organizational job embeddedness fit mediates the relationship between overall job characteristics and turnover intention.

Work engagement in the public service context: The dual perceptions of job characteristics (WITHDRAWN)

Interest in work engagement research has increased significantly due to its positive influence on both employee and organizational performance. Studies show how engagement is explained through job characteristics in the Job Demands-Resource model, yet a more nuanced approach has been proposed. In this qualitative study, perceptions of job characteristics among home caregivers are investigated. Semi-structured interviews and observations reveal three main themes: Optimization, helping others and emotional work that show a dual perception of job characteristics, which thereby influence the experienced engagement. We discuss how these dual perceptions can be understood using Public Service Motivation literature.

Work Engagement in the Public Service Context: The Dual Perceptions of Job Characteristics

ABSTRACTInterest in work engagement research has increased significantly due to its positive influence on both employee and organizational performance. Studies show how engagement is explained through job characteristics in the Job Demands-Resource model, yet a more nuanced approach has been proposed. In this qualitative study, home caregivers’ perceptions of job characteristics are investigated. Semi-structured interviews and observations reveal three main themes: Optimization, helping others, and emotional work. These show a dual perception of job characteristics consequently influencing the experienced engagement. Using Public Service Motivation literature, these dual perceptions are discussed.

The work-to-life conflict mediation between job characteristics and well-being at work

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare part-time and full-time employees, analyzing the relationship between job characteristics and workplace well-being (i.e. burnout and engagement) and the mediating role of the work-to-life conflict with a sample of 736 employees from 14 Portuguese call center companies.Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses were tested with multiple group analysis on two samples: part-time and full-time employees.FindingsThe results confirm that in both the part-time and full-time subsamples employees’ perceptions of job characteristics are related to their well-being, and the work-to-life conflict partially mediates this relationship. Moreover, the study confirms that the relationship between employees’ perceptions of job demands and the work-to-life conflict and between the work-to-life conflict and workplace well-being were stronger for full-time than for part-time employees.Research limitations/implicationsThe co-relational and cross-sectional design should be regarded as limitations. Moreover, each variable was only assessed with self-reported measures, and the sample comprised call center employees from only one country (Portugal), which may constrain the generalization of these results.Practical implicationsPart-time work is a good solution in order to prevent the work-to-life conflict. Furthermore, a reduced workload and time pressure, enhanced decision latitude and supervisory support appear to be crucial work characteristics for employees juggling their work with other roles and in the promotion of well-being at work.Originality/valueThis research study provides evidence that the traditional vision of the work-family conflict requires a broader conceptualization by considering the interference between life roles, particularly in the case of full-time young employees.

Is It the Job or the Support? Examining Structural and Relational Predictors of Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention for Nonprofit Employees

We examine the relative efficacy of two theoretically distinct variables for predicting job satisfaction and turnover intentions for workers in nonprofit organizations. The first, perceived job characteristics, reflects the structure of jobs in terms of autonomy, skill variety, task identity, task significance, and feedback. The second, perceived organizational support, reflects the quality of the employee–organization relationship. We collected data from 196 full-time, nonprofit employees across two time periods, and we tested hypotheses using hierarchical regression and relative importance analysis. Results emphasize the significance of managing employees in a supportive manner and structuring jobs so that employees can work autonomously.

The international political economy of worker satisfaction: a cross-national HLM analysis

Purpose– There is a growing body of comparative research examining country differences in job satisfaction and its determinants. However, existing research cannot explain similarities in job satisfaction levels across very different countries, nor can it explain the differences between seemingly similar countries. Moreover, there has been no significant research conducted to date that has examined the country-level contextual conditions that are poised to impact worker satisfaction and its determinants. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– In this research, the author address this existing gap in the academic literature on job satisfaction by using non-panel longitudinal data from the International Social Survey Program (Work Orientations I, II, and III: 1989, 1997, and 2005) to examine cross-national differences in job satisfaction and its determinants. The author compare and combine previous international political economy theoretical work and hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to examine global macro-level variables and their impact on worker satisfaction cross-nationally.Findings– Study results demonstrate that both intrinsic and extrinsic work characteristics strongly impact worker job satisfaction. Furthermore, country by country regression and HLM results suggest that there are important country differences in both the perceived importance of various work characteristics and workers’ self-report experiences with both intrinsic and extrinsic work characteristics.Research limitations/implications– To get a clearer picture in the HLM analysis as to the full impact of these various country-contextual impacts on differences in perceived job characteristics and worker satisfaction, future research needs to examine a greater number and wider variety of countries, while exploring other theoretically relevant country-level variables that may help to explore country-level differences from these various cross-national theoretical frameworks. Additionally, a more diverse and greater number of participating countries would also potentially help in achieving levels of significance in the level-2 covariates in the HLM models.Practical implications– Due to the fact the worker job satisfaction impacts firm performance and various measures of worker well-being, firms (regardless of economic sector or private/public status) need to be cognizant of these differences and unique challenges and work to tailor management philosophy and policy to create a unique work atmosphere that will benefit the interests of both the employer and the employee, as well as society at large.Originality/value– While the nature of work has changed dramatically in the post-war era in response to economic shifts and an increasingly global economy, particularly over the past two decades, this paper examines the previously unexamined country-level contextual and global macro-historical variables driving differences in work quality and perceived worker satisfaction.

Job Satisfaction in Agile Development Teams: Agile Development as Work Redesign

Agile software-development advocates claim that an important value proposition of agile methods is that they make people more motivated and satisfied with their jobs. While several studies present anecdotal evidence that agile methods increase motivation and satisfaction, research has not theoretically explained or empirically examined how agile development practices relate to team members’ feelings about their work. Drawing on the management and software-development literature, we articulate a model of job design that connects agile development practices to perceptions of job characteristics and, thereby, improve agile team members’ job satisfaction. Using data collected from 252 software-development professionals, we tested the model and found a positive relationship between agile project-management and software-development practices and employees’ perceptions of job characteristics. Further, we found direct effects between agile development-practice use and job satisfaction. Finally, we found interaction effects between the use of agile project-management and software-development approaches and the perception of job autonomy. With this study, we contribute to the literature by theoretically explaining and directly evaluating agile development practices’ impact on individuals’ perceptions about their job characteristics and on their job satisfaction.

Work-to-Family Enrichment and Conflict Profiles: Job Characteristics and Employees' Well-Being.

This article aims to analyze work-to-family conflict (WFC) and enrichment (WFE) profiles related to job characteristics and well-being at work and general well-being. A cross-sectional survey data of 1885 employees was analyzed. The Latent Profile Analysis revealed that the five-profile solution exhibited strong statistical significance (p > .001). ANCOVAs were performed to analyze the relationship of the identified profiles with job characteristics and well-being. Employees in the Beneficial profile had the best perception of job characteristics (lowest demands and the highest control and support) and the highest well-being, and those in the Harmful profile had the lowest job characteristics perceptions and the lowest well-being. Through a comparison of the Moderate Active profile and the Moderate Harmful profile, WFE was found to buffer the effects of the WFC on well-being at work (burnout; engagement) and on general well-being (i.e., health perceptions). The promotion of WFE through higher job autonomy, job support, and fewer demands is a crucial aspect to consider. This study helps to consolidate the work-family balance typology and its effects on employees' well-being, and broadens this framework to consider job characteristics.

Exploring the moderating role of context satisfaction between job characteristics and turnover intention of employees of Indian public sector banks

Purpose – An employee’s satisfaction with the work context may affect her/his perception of the organization and may hence be a predictor of her/his intention to leave. The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible mediating role of context satisfaction between employees’ perception of job characteristics and their turnover intention and rests on the Job Characteristics Model (JCM). Design/methodology/approach – Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the moderation hypothesis on sample data of 214 employees of 19 public sector banks in India. The population comprised both junior and middle management grade employees as these are expected to succeed retiring middle and senior management employees. Findings – Findings suggest that in addition to enriched jobs, context satisfaction is critical to establish a positive environment to lessen turnover intention of employees. This highlights the need for a positive and supportive work context to maximize the benefits of jobs with positive characteristics. Originality/value – The study is important for academicians and practitioners alike as it is evidence to the underlying process of how perception towards job characteristics together with work context as a less researched construct of JCM may influence intention to quit. The findings find relevance in the Indian banking sector, where retaining talent is a major challenge.

Transformational leadership and optimal functioning at work: On the mediating role of employees' perceived job characteristics and motivation

This study aimed to deepen our understanding of the motivational mechanisms involved in the relationship between transformational leadership (TFL) and employee functioning. Drawing on the TFL literature, the job demands–resources model and self-determination theory, we propose an integrative model that relates TFL to employee psychological health (burnout and psychological distress), attitudes (occupational commitment and turnover intention) and performance (professional efficacy, self-reported individual and objective organizational performance) through two explanatory mechanisms: perceived job characteristics (job demands and resources) and employee motivation (autonomous and controlled). This research was conducted in two occupational settings (nurses and school principals), using a distinct variable operationalization for each. Results of both studies provide support for the hypothesized model, suggesting that TFL relates to optimal job functioning (psychological health, job attitudes and performance) by contributing to favourable perceptions of job characteristics (more resources and less demands) and high-quality work motivation (more autonomous motivation and less controlled motivation) in employees. Theoretical contributions and managerial implications as well as directions for future research are presented.

Co-occurrence of protective health behaviours and perceived psychosocial job characteristics.

Little is known about the association between positive job characteristics of older workers and the co-occurrence of protective health behaviours. This study aims to investigate the association between perceived psychosocial job characteristics and the adoption of protective health behaviours. A population-based cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 1025 males and females (age-range 50–69-years) attending a primary healthcare clinic. Perceived job characteristics (job demands: quantitative and cognitive demands; resources: possibility for development and influence at work) were determined using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. Each scale is presented in tertiles. Protective health behaviours were; consumption of five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day, moderate alcohol, non/ex-smoker, and high and moderate physical activity. Each participant was scored 0–4 protective health behaviours. The majority of the sample had three protective health behaviours. Higher levels of influence at work and cognitive demands were associated with higher self-reported physical activity, but not with any number of protective health behaviours. Conversely, higher quantitative and higher cognitive demands were associated with reporting any number of protective health behaviours or above average number of protective health behaviours respectively. The findings on protective health behaviours were inconsistent in relation to the different measures of perceived psychosocial job characteristics and were largely confined to physical activity and diet.

Impact of Employer Branding and Applicants’ Intentions to Apply

Employer branding is defined as “a targeted, long-term strategy to manage the awareness and perceptions of employees, potential employees and related stakeholders with regards to particular firm” (Sullivan, 2004). Often, we can observe that the applicants have got some image or perception in their mind regarding their prospective employer. Hence it is very essential to match between these two. The present research attempts to explore various dimensions of recruitment marketing offers that may result in the applicants’ intentions to apply. The target audience for the study was graduate business school students who are about to enter the labour market. Research was carried out in two phases to analyze qualitative and quantitative dimensions of the target audience. In the first phase, three Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were carried out with an average duration of 70 minutes each. This qualitative data helped understanding various dimensions of the target audience and in designing the questionnaire. In the second stage, a survey was conducted where total number of 250 students was approached from which 220 responses were collected. The data analysis was done using SPSS for multidimensional scaling. Employer brand value proposition, company reputation and perceived job characteristics were observed to impact the applicant’s intentions to apply.

Transformational Leadership and Organizational Commitment: The Mediating Role of Job Characteristics

Although the contribution of transformational leadership to employee organizational commitment is well documented, the mechanisms that explain such relationship remain unclear. In the present research, we propose that transformational leadership can influence organizational commitment through impacting followers’ perceptions of job characteristics (i.e., feedback from job, task variety, and decision‐making autonomy). Structural equation modeling analyses conducted on a sample of employees from multiple organizations in France (N = 488) found the relationships between transformational leadership and four components of organizational commitment (i.e., affective, normative, perceived sacrifice, and few alternatives commitment) to be partly mediated by followers’ perceptions of task characteristics. We discuss the relevance of these findings for theory and human resource development.