Job Design Principles in the New World of Work
Date
2011-10-20
Authors
SWANEPOEL, MARCUS
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Abstract
The world of work has changed significantly in the last couple of decades. There has been a clear shift from an industrial economy to an economy that is driven by knowledge. It has become increasingly important for companies to identify knowledge workers and harness their potential. The main purpose of this study was to gain insight into what job design principles are important to knowledge workers.
The data was collected by means of a self-completed questionnaire based survey. The survey was conducted at a Business School. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were processed. The data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses.
The main findings of this research were integrated into a model, which identified the job design factors that are important to knowledge workers. The research showed that knowledge workers deem authority, individual responsibility, financial reward and intellectual stimulation important to their job design. By incorporating these factors into the job design, organisations should increase the levels of motivation, satisfaction, loyalty, performance and commitment that are present amongst their knowledge workers.
Description
MBA thesis - WBS
Keywords
Job design principles, Knowledge workers