Effects of Changes in Job Characteristics on Work Attitudes and Behavior: A Naturally-Occuring Quasi-Experiment.

Abstract

The effects of changes in the motivational properties of jobs on work attitudes and behaviors were assessed in a quasi-experimental design. A number of clerical jobs in a metropolitan bank were redesigned because of a technological innovation. Measures of job characteristics, employee attitudes, and work behaviors were collected before and after the changes. Results showed that general statisfaction, growth satisfaction and internal motivation were directly affected by changes in job characteristics. Satisfaction with the work context was not affected. Effects of the changes on absenteeism and performance depended on the strength of employee growth needs, which also tended to moderate attitudinal reactions to the changes. Contrary to expectation, employee growth needs themselves were not affected by the altered motivational characteristics of the jobs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA037090

Entities

People

  • J. Richard Hackman
  • Jane Caminis
  • Jone L. Pearce

Organizations

  • Yale University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absenteeism
  • Education
  • Human Behavior
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Research
  • Motivation
  • Organizational Structure
  • Perception
  • Questionnaires
  • Ratings
  • Schools
  • Security
  • Supervision
  • Supervisors
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Universities

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Economics
  • Organizational Psychology.