Answer to Question #194774 in Management for Warda Bintey Rahma

Question

Using the job characteristics model, redesign the following jobs to be more motivating: retail store sales associate, utility company meter reader, and checkout cashier at a discount store. In a written report, describe for each job at least two specific actions you would take for each of the five core job dimensions.

Answer 1

Retail store sales associate

Skill variety

Adding skill variety in a job gives the employee opportunity to learn and keeps them motivated. The action to be taken are;

1. Skills training programs- to be undertaken monthly in order for employees to learn new skills and polish those that they already have. This will help them keep up with the changing work environment.
2. Adding dynamism to the job- The retail store sales associates should not only be excellent in customer care but also have the financial knowledge to manage the store, should have convincing skills to retain the customers, and should have adequate knowledge of the product they are selling. There should be a rotation of the roles so as to keep the employees motivated.

Task Identity

1. Target-based bonus- tasks assigned to an employee should be achievable and upon achieving them the employees will receive a bonus. this keeps them focused and motivated.
2. The sales associate must be assigned a customer- each employee different customer.

Task significance

1. Introducing corporate social responsibility- this will give the employees the satisfaction of knowing they are beneficial to society.
2. Baning plastic and introducing reusable items- will make the employees feel worthy as they are helping prevent environmental pollution.

Autonomy

1. Giving decision making to employees
2. The employees must not be forced to use certain pre-defined methodology to achieve a certain outcome.

Feedback

1. Constructive feedback from customers will motivate employees
2. Bonuses and commissions should be issued on time.

Utility company meter reader

Skill Variety

1. Employes should be attentive to details
2. Employees should have the ability to navigate a designated route and be good with Maths

Task Identity

1. Encourage the employee to identify with the task
2. Utility company meter readers should be given other tasks so as to feel like a part of the team.

Task significance

1. Send Utility company meter reader to different residential and commercial locations on assigned routes
2. Give the employee the right types of equipment for the job

Autonomy

1. Employees must not be forced to use a specific means of transport
2. Employees must take responsibility for their actions

Feedback

1. Quarterly reviews from the clients
2. Bonus and commissions

Checkout cashier at a discount store

Skill Variety

1. Different jobs at a different time to achieve job dynamism(job rotation)
2. maintaining the change of order, auditing, and tracking supplies.

Task Identity

1. Giving cashier multiple roles to widen the scope of responsibility
2. Full-fledged Management of Finances. 

Task Significance

1. Saving customers time by doing quick auditing
2. A friendly and effective customer engagement

Autonomy

1. The employees must not be forced to use certain pre-defined methodology to achieve a certain outcome.
2. Employees must take responsibility for their actions

Feedback

1. Review from customers
2. Bonuses and commissions should be issued on time.