The main effects of five job characteristics on performance and satisfaction: a laboratory investigation

Abstract

A review of the literature on Hackman and Oldham's (1975) job characteristics model of job design found that laboratory research of the five job characteristics was wanting. An experimental study was conducted in which each of the five job characteristics was independently manipulated. Subjects were 120 undergraduate students enrolled in psychology and marketing/management courses. All subjects performed the same job; that of a data entry clerk. Treatment consisted of increasing either a single or all five of the job characteristics under study. After completing the job, all subjects completed a 61-item questionnaire designed to determine subjects' perceptions of the presence of the five job characteristics, and designed to measure subjects' satisfaction with the work itself (SWI). Computerized data files created by the subjects served as the database from which performance measures were taken. No significant differences were found between a control condition and each of experimental treatment conditions on the dependent variable of quantity of performance. However, there were significant increases in quality of performance and SWI in those treatment conditions in which feedback was increased. Further analyses demonstrated significant relationships between perceptions of the job characteristics and SWI. Discussion centers on support which this study provides for the job characteristics model's predictions with regard to the relationship between perceptions of the job characteristics and SWI, and a possible weakness of the job characteristics model to adequately predict performance. Recommendations are made for further research.