Deck 8: Motivation: From Concepts to Applications

Question 1

The job characteristics model describes any job in terms of five core job dimensions. Task significance is one of these five dimensions and it represents the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Anya is a graphic designer in a firm specializing in making logos for their clients. Last week, she got client specifications on how to make a new logo. She was able to create a prototype, and having got it initially reviewed by her immediate supervisor, she made changes until the client was satisfied with her final product. Based on this description, it's safe to say that Anya's job is high in ________ and ________.

A) task significance; feedback
B) autonomy; skill variety
C) feedback; skill variety
D) task identity; feedback
E) skill variety; autonomy

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Andrew is a software tester. He runs through the same types of programs day after day looking for bugs and reporting them. He is taking night classes on programming. Often, he knows the best solution to many of the bugs, but he is still learning to code. Describe two job characteristics that Andrew is striving to improve, and explain two ways that Andrew's manager can redesign his current job to help him reach his goals.

Answer 3

Andrew is striving to have greater task identity, which is the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work. He would like to not only look for the programming bugs, but be able to fix them. He is also looking for skill variety, or the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities so the worker can use a number of different skills and talent. It is clear that he is bored with only the testing aspect of his job.
Andrew's boss needs to redesign his job to include aspects of job enrichment, which refers to the vertical expansion of jobs. Job enrichment increases the degree to which the worker controls the planning, execution, and evaluation of his or her work. One way to enrich Andrew's job would be to put him in contact with his internal clients, the programmers. They could establish a set of bug recommendations that Andrew could fix, where he could begin to learn the types of code required. His boss should also open the feedback channels so that the programmers can tell Andrew when he is making proper adjustments and using his new skills adequately.

Question 4

The job characteristics model describes any job in terms of five core job dimensions. Feedback is one of these five dimensions and it represents the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about your own performance.

Question 5

In the job characteristics model (JCM), which three core job dimensions combine to create meaningful work?

A) autonomy, task identity, and feedback
B) skill variety, autonomy, and task significance
C) skill variety, autonomy, and feedback
D) feedback, task identity, and task significance
E) skill variety, task identity, and task significance

Question 6

Increasingly, research on motivation focuses on approaches that link motivational concepts to changes in the way ________ is/are structured.

A) organizational design
B) payment
C) work
D) benefits
E) organizational culture

Question 7

According to the job characteristics model, autonomy is defined as the degree to which ________.

A) a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) work activities generates direct and clear information about performance
C) a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling the work
D) a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
E) a job requires a variety of different activities

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true regarding job rotation?

A) It decreases the flexibility with which an organization can adapt to a change.
B) It decreases employee motivation.
C) It decreases productivity.
D) It decreases supervisory workload.
E) It decreases the flexibility in scheduling work.

Question 9

Ned is particularly adept at designing and creating new fashions. In which of the following would Ned have the highest level of autonomy?

A) doing alterations at the dry cleaners
B) creating custom bridal gowns in a bridal store
C) creating custom gowns and suits for a pageant store
D) working as a private tailor for a local real estate agent
E) working as a stylist for a local celebrity

Question 10

With reference to the job characteristics model, which of the following defines task identity?

A) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) the degree to which work activities generates direct and clear information about performance
C) the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure
D) the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
E) the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities

Question 11

The job characteristics model describes any job in terms of five core job dimensions and these five dimensions are skill variety, task significance, autonomy, reward, and feedback.

Question 12

According to the job characteristics model, ________ indicates the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about your own performance.

A) task significance
B) autonomy
C) feedback
D) task identity
E) skill variety

Question 13

John is a design manager for a production company. He independently assigns teams, chooses projects, researches trends, and is able to work from home two to three days a week. He provides a status report to the design director once a month. Based on this description and as per the job characteristics model, it's safe to say that John's job is high in ________.

A) task identity
B) feedback
C) autonomy
D) task significance
E) skill variety

Question 14

With reference to the job characteristics model, which of the following defines skill variety?

A) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) the degree to which work activities generates direct and clear information about performance
C) the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure
D) the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
E) the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities

Question 15

According to the job characteristics model, task significance is the degree to which ________.

A) a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) work activities generates direct and clear information about performance
C) a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure
D) a job affects the lives or work of other people
E) a job requires a variety of different activities

Question 16

Ned is particularly adept at designing and creating new fashions. In which of the following would Ned have the highest level of task identity?

A) doing alterations at the dry cleaners
B) creating custom bridal gowns in a bridal store
C) creating custom gowns and suits for a pageant store
D) working as a private tailor for a local real estate agent
E) working as a stylist for a local celebrity

Question 17

Samantha is an emergency medical technician. Yesterday, due to an emergency, she was called to a house where a man suffered a heart attack. She was able to resuscitate the man, and while her colleagues were transporting him to the ambulance she spent 10 minutes calming the 12-year-old daughter, who was home alone with the father at that time. Based on this description, it's safe to say that Samantha's job is high in ________.

A) task identity
B) feedback
C) reward
D) task significance
E) skill variety

Question 18

Which of the following is not one of the core job dimensions in the job characteristics model (JCM)?

A) task significance
B) feedback
C) autonomy
D) reward
E) skill variety

Question 19

Ned is particularly adept at designing and creating new fashions. In which of the following would Ned have the highest level of skill variety?

A) doing alterations at the dry cleaners
B) creating custom bridal gowns in a bridal store
C) creating custom gowns and suits for a pageant store
D) working as a private tailor for a local real estate agent
E) working as a stylist for a local celebrity

Question 20

The periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another with similar skill requirements at the same organizational level is called job ________.

A) enlargement
B) expansion
C) rotation
D) sharing
E) enrichment

Question 21

The job characteristics model describes five dimensions of a job. A job can be enriched by modifying one or more of these five dimensions. Which of the following methods of job enrichment involves modifying task identity and task significance dimensions of a job?

A) combining tasks
B) forming natural work units
C) establishing client relationships
D) expanding jobs vertically
E) opening feedback channels

Question 22

Job enrichment increases the degree to which the worker controls the ________.

A) planning, execution, and evaluation of the work
B) planning, execution, and evaluation of company plans
C) horizontal integration of his or her tasks
D) evaluation of his or her peers
E) feedback that a worker receives from his or her supervisor and peers

Question 23

Shawna works as a sales agent at a local big box electronics retailer in the camera department. Though she has been successful in her position, she has grown a bit tired and is suffering from overroutinization. Which of the following would be the best opportunity for job rotation for Shawna?

A) moving to sales in the computer department
B) moving to customer service
C) moving to human resources
D) moving to assistant manager
E) moving to a new store

Question 24

What is job rotation? What are the various advantages and disadvantages of job rotation?

Question 25

What is job enrichment? Describe various methods of job enrichment that are based on the job characteristics model.

Question 26

Job enlargement is also called cross-training.

Question 27

Which of the following is not one of the methods of enriching jobs based on the job characteristics model?

A) allow flexible work time
B) establish client relationships
C) open feedback channels
D) combine tasks
E) expand jobs vertically

Question 28

One of the methods of job enrichment is to expand jobs vertically. This method involves modifying the ________ dimension of the job.

A) task significance
B) autonomy
C) feedback
D) task identity
E) skill variety

Question 29

You notice that members of the janitorial staff are low skilled and are suffering from overroutinization of their work. They are most likely to be motivated by ________.

A) employee stock options
B) skill-based pay plan
C) job rotation
D) merit-based pay plans
E) gainsharing

Question 30

What is another term for cross-training?

A) work enrichment
B) job sharing
C) work enlargement
D) job enhancement
E) job rotation

Question 31

Beyond redesigning the nature of the work itself and involving employees in decisions, another approach to making the work environment more motivating is to alter work arrangements. Which of the following is designed to give an employee greater control of their schedule?

A) flextime
B) job centralization
C) job rotation
D) job enlargement
E) job enrichment

Question 32

What is the main strength of job rotation?

A) It eliminates management involvement.
B) It increases motivation.
C) It increases productivity.
D) It decreases training costs.
E) It decreases supervisor work load.

Question 33

Managers at Precision Technologies, a custom-machine shop in Indiana, train workers on all the company's equipment so they can move around as needed in response to incoming orders. Based on this information, which of the following methods is most likely being used by Precision Technologies?

A) job rotation
B) job enlargement
C) job enrichment
D) job sharing
E) flextime

Question 34

Job sharing expands jobs by increasing the degree to which the worker controls the planning, execution, and evaluation of the work.

Question 35

Aberdone Company has redesigned the jobs of the workers in accounts receivables. Instead of simply billing customers, they are now responsible for what were once management tasks, such as following up on non-payment, determining when bills will be sent to a collection agency, and which accounts receivables can be written off as non-collectable. Which of the following methods of job enrichment is used in this example?

A) task combination
B) vertical job expansion
C) formation of natural work units
D) establishing client relationships
E) opening feedback channels

Question 36

Job rotation tends to increase productivity and decrease supervisory workload.

Question 37

Job ________ expands jobs by increasing the degree to which the worker controls the planning, execution, and evaluation of the work.

A) sharing
B) enrichment
C) centralization
D) enlargement
E) rotation

Question 38

The job characteristics model describes five dimensions of a job. A job can be enriched by modifying one or more of these five dimensions. Which of the following methods of job enrichment involves modifying skill variety and task identity dimensions of a job?

A) combining tasks
B) forming natural work units
C) establishing client relationships
D) expanding jobs vertically
E) opening feedback channels

Question 39

An arrangement that allows two or more individuals to split a traditional 40-hour-a-week job is called ________.

A) flextime
B) job sharing
C) job rotation
D) telecommuting
E) job enrichment

Question 40

The evidence on job enrichment shows it ________.

A) reduces absenteeism
B) increases supervisory workload
C) reduces satisfaction
D) increases turnover cost
E) reduces employee motivation

Question 41

Which of the following is a job that does not lend itself to telecommuting?

A) an attorney who spends most of her time researching on the computer
B) a copywriter for an advertising firm
C) a car salesman who demonstrates the features of a new model of car
D) a telemarketer who uses the phone to contact clients
E) a product support specialist who handles queries sent by customers

Question 42

Which of the following is a not a management benefit of telecommuting?

A) larger labor pool for recruitment
B) higher productivity of employees
C) decreased office expenditures
D) improved morale in general
E) decreased salary expenses

Question 43

Almost every country in Western Europe requires companies to practice ________, called "the most widely legislated form of employee involvement around the world."

A) participative management
B) corporate restructuring
C) representative participation
D) management by objectives
E) organizational reengineering

Question 44

Participative management is a method of management where ________.

A) representatives of workers form work councils and these councils must be consulted when management makes decisions about employees
B) few representatives of workers sit on a company's board of directors
C) subordinates share a significant degree of decision-making power with their immediate superiors
D) low-level workers meet occasionally with the CEO to discuss problems within their department
E) low-level workers are responsible for making corporate policy decisions

Question 45

Which of the following statements is true regarding participative management?

A) Participative management typically has only a modest influence on variables such as employee productivity and motivation.
B) The two most common forms are works councils and board representatives.
C) It is called "the most widely legislated form of employee involvement around the world."
D) Research evidence on participative management indicates that it is a sure means for improving employee performance.
E) Participative management involves few representatives of workers sitting on the company's board of directors.

Question 46

Which of the following is the distinct characteristic common to all participative management programs?

A) joint decision making
B) autonomy
C) commitment
D) productivity enhancement
E) quality improvement

Question 47

Lavon has been feeling dissatisfied with his position of late. Particularly, he feels that he is underutilized. According to motivation theories, what should Lavon's supervisor do?

A) fire him
B) promote him
C) include him in revising his job description
D) mentor him to use his time better
E) appoint him to numerous committees

Question 48

Flextime tends to reduce absenteeism and frequently improves worker productivity.

Question 49

________ is a participative process that uses employees' input to increase their commitment to the organization's success.

A) Job enrichment
B) Employee involvement
C) Organizational reengineering
D) Corporate restructuring
E) Job sharing

Question 50

Which of the following is the major drawback of job sharing from management's perspective?

A) increase in supervisory workload
B) increased costs for providing supporting infrastructure (such as desk and computer) to two employees instead of one
C) difficulty in finding compatible partners
D) difficulty in designing the reward structure
E) difficulty in coordinating schedules

Question 51

Jason works at home at least 2 days a week on a computer linked to his employer's office. He goes to work at odd hours and returns as he pleases. Which of the following terms accurately represents Jason's work arrangement?

A) autonomy
B) job sharing
C) flextime
D) telecommuting
E) task identity

Question 52

You are looking at flextime and realize that it will probably work least well for which of the following jobs?

A) insurance billers
B) custodial workers
C) receptionist
D) equipment maintenance staff
E) IT personnel

Question 53

Job rotation allows two or more individuals to split a traditional 40-hour-a-week job.

Question 54

The two major forms of employee involvement are participative management and ________.

A) organizational restructuring
B) job sharing
C) representative participation
D) job rotation
E) job enlargement

Question 55

A positive relationship exists between telecommuting and supervisor performance ratings.

Question 56

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of flextime.

Question 57

Janice and Shunil are both senior software analysts. They have worked together on projects for six years and get along great. Janice is pregnant and anticipating the arrival of her first child and she is not willing to work full time. Shunil would like to experiment with opening his own business as a home media installation consultant, and does not want to continue to work full time. They both need some income. Which of the following alternative job structures would be best for Janice and Shunil?

A) job enlargement
B) telecommuting
C) job rotation
D) job sharing
E) job enrichment

Question 58

For management, the major downside of telecommuting is ________.

A) decreased productivity
B) increased turnover
C) reduced morale
D) difficulty in scheduling work
E) less direct supervision of employees

Question 59

The two most common forms of representative participation are ________ and board representatives.

A) quality circles
B) work councils
C) employee unions
D) task teams
E) self-regulatory organization

Question 60

Which of the following statements is true regarding job sharing?

A) It expands jobs by increasing the degree to which the worker controls the planning, execution, and evaluation of the work.
B) It is also called cross-training.
C) It allows two or more individuals to split a traditional 40-hour-a-week job.
D) It involves periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another with similar skill requirements at the same organizational level.
E) Job sharing is a method of job enrichment.

Question 61

A ________ pay plan pays for individual performance based on performance appraisal ratings.

A) piece-rate
B) merit-based
C) skill-based
D) profit sharing
E) competency-based

Question 62

Explain how participative management can enhance skill variety, task identity, and autonomy as described in the Job Characteristics Model (JCM).

Question 63

While setting pay levels initially, an organization has to balance internal equity and external equity. Here external equity indicates ________.

A) the amount of growth opportunities the job provides to the employee
B) the worth of the job to the employee
C) the worth of the job to the organization
D) competitiveness of an organization's pay relative to pay elsewhere in its industry
E) the amount of job satisfaction the job provides to the employee

Question 64

If one is interested in changing employee attitudes or in improving organizational performance, representative participation would be a good choice.

Question 65

What is an advantage of bonuses over a merit-based pay plan?

A) Employees don't view bonuses as a part of their salary.
B) Bonuses improve flexibility of the workforce.
C) Bonuses are paid based on a formula.
D) Bonuses improve performance of the group as a whole.
E) Employees are rewarded for recent performance.

Question 66

Vance and Jared were both recently hired to be program directors at an urban university. Vance attended a large, historic university while Jared attended a branch campus of a regional university. Jared is paid 15% more than Vance. The best explanation for this is ________.

A) Jared is a better negotiator
B) Vance did not do well in school
C) Jared's position is worth more to the university
D) Vance's position is not important to the university
E) the institution is not competitive within the industry

Question 67

What is representative participation? Discuss its influence on workers.

Question 68

Amalgamated Industries manufactures parts for furniture. Management has decided to change the method of payment to a skill-based pay plan. You are interested in increasing your current compensation and see this as an opportunity. You should expect to earn more if you ________.

A) volunteer for overtime
B) increase your production
C) cross-train in other jobs
D) become a specialist
E) improve the quality of your work

Question 69

Which of the following is an example of a piece-rate plan?

A) $20 for each hour of work
B) $2 for each unit produced
C) productivity bonus
D) commission
E) paying employees based on number of skills

Question 70

In which of the following variable-pay programs is the pay level based on how many skills employees have or how many jobs they can do?

A) bonuses
B) piece-rate pay
C) skill-based pay
D) gainsharing
E) merit-based pay

Question 71

Theory Y ________.

A) advocates job sharing
B) if implemented, reduces intrinsic employee motivation
C) encourages telecommuting
D) encourages fixed pay structure
E) is consistent with participative management

Question 72

What is employee involvement and why is it important? What are the two major forms of employee involvement?

Question 73

As a manager, you like the plan because it ________.

A) reduces the stress experienced by the employees on the job
B) increases workforce flexibility
C) decreases social loafing
D) decreases payroll costs
E) decreases employee turnover

Question 74

The ________ pay plan has long been popular as a means of compensating production workers by paying a fixed sum for each unit of production completed.

A) competency-based
B) gainsharing
C) piece-rate
D) profit sharing
E) merit-based

Question 75

Which of the following terms best describes employees who sit on a company's board of directors and represent the interests of the firm's employees?

A) board representatives
B) works councils
C) quality circles
D) union representatives
E) board leaders

Question 76

Which of the following is Theory X consistent with?

A) the autocratic style of managing people
B) participative management
C) job enrichment
D) the cognitive evaluation theory
E) two-factor theory

Question 77

Which of the following may be a disadvantage of introducing this type of pay plan?

A) It increases supervisory work load.
B) It encourages social loafing.
C) It generally decreases the profitability of the organization.
D) It does not address the level of performance.
E) It tends to reduce employee job satisfaction.

Question 78

Patrick and Allison work at a local car dealership as sales persons and are paid on both salary and commission. What type of pay related motivation is being used?

A) variable-pay program
B) internal equity
C) external equity
D) skill-based plan
E) flexible benefits

Question 79

The two most common forms of participative management are works councils and board representatives.

Question 80

A skill-based pay plan is also called a ________ pay plan.

A) piece-rate
B) profit sharing
C) merit-based
D) knowledge-based
E) commission-based