THE INDIVIDUAL - Attitudes, Job Satisfaction, and Motivation

Required Reading

Hackman, J. R. & Oldham, G. R. (1975). Development of the Job Diagnostic Survey. Journal of Applied Psychology, 60, pp. 159-70

First, complete the following survey and calculate your scores according to the guidelines. Then, submit a 2-3 pages paper (not including the cover sheet, references, and assessment sheet) in which you will answer a few questions (the 4 questions appear below right after the description of the MPS).

MPS Survey

Job Design Questionnaire

Listed below are 15 statements about your job. For each statement write how much you agree with it on a scale that ranges from 1 (disagree) to 4(agree).

{1= disagree; 2= slightly disagree; 3=slightly agree; 4=agree}

My job provides:

1. A lot of variety.

2. Allows me the opportunity to complete the work I start.

3. Is one that may affect a lot of other people by how well the work is performed.

4. Lets me be left on my own to do my own work.

5. Provides feedback on how well I am performing as I am working.

6. Provides me with a variety of work.

7. Is arranged so that I have a chance to do the job from beginning to end.

8. Is relatively significant in the organization.

9. Provides the opportunity for independent thought and action.

10. Provides me with the opportunity to find out how well I am doing.

11. Gives me the opportunity to do a number of different things.

12. Is arranged so that I may see projects through to their final completion.

13. Is very significant in the broader scheme of things.

14. Gives me considerable opportunity for independence and freedom in how I do my work.

15. Provides me with the feeling that I know whether I am performing well or poorly.

Scoring for job design questionnaire

The survey is designed to analyze the above mentioned five dimensions of the job: Skill Variety, Task Identity, Task Significant, Autonomy, and Feedback about Results.

Total your score:

Skill Variety â?" Total the scores for questions 1, 6, 11: _______
Task Identity â?" Total the scores for questions 2, 7, 12: _______
Task Significant â?" Total the scores for questions 3, 8, 13: _______
Autonomy â?" Total the scores for questions 4, 9, 14: _______
Feedback About Results â?" Total the scores for questions 5, 10, 15: _______
The lower scoring dimensions (normally, anything below a 9) should be investigated to see if the job environment can be improved.

After completing the survey and calculating your scores on the five dimensions answer the questions below:

What is your MPS score? Please explain what does your score means in terms of your work motivation? What is the highest possible score that can be achieved using this scale?
What do you think your MPS score would be if your job autonomy score was equal to zero? Explain why.
Normally, people in leadership positions have scores that are higher than their workers. How would you explain that?
Based on the MPS results, compare and contrast the main ways in which your job can be redesigned.
Keys to the Assignment

The key aspects of this assignment that should be covered in your paper include:

Completion of the assessment according to the guidelines and interpreting the results.
Including the actual instrument and results.
Explain what do you think your MPS score would be if your job autonomy score was equal to zero?
Explain why people in leadership positions usually have scores that are higher than their workers.
Based on your results, compare and contrast the main ways in which your job can be redesigned.
Assignment Expectations

Your paper will be evaluated on the following points:

Precision - Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
Clarity - Is the writing clear and the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of response to the questions, or are excessive use of quotations how thoughts are conveyed?
Breadth - Is the full breadth of the subject, i.e., the keys to the assignment, addressed?
Depth - Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth, and include the background readings and other background resources as references?
Organization - Is the paper written well? Does the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate to graduate level work? Are headings included in all papers greater than 2 pages?
Referencing (citations and references) - Does the paper use citations and quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the background readings and assignment used and properly cited? Are all references listed in the bibliography used and referred to via citation?
Application - Are the concepts of the module appropriately applied to the subject organization?