Human Resource Management:
Gaining a Competitive Advantage
Chapter 04
The Analysis and Design of
Work
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Copyright © 2013 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Learning Objectives
1. Analyze an organization’s structure and work flow process,
identifying output, activities and inputs in production of a product or
service.
2. Understand importance of job analysis in strategic HRM.
3. Choose the right job analysis technique for a variety of HR
activities.
4. Identify tasks performed and skills required in a given job.
5. Understand different approaches to job design.
6. Comprehend trade-offs among various approaches to designing
jobs.
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Work-flow Design
 Work-flow design- process of analyzing
tasks necessary for production of a product or
service, prior to assigning tasks to a particular
job category or person.
 Organization structure - relatively stable and
formal network of vertical and horizontal
interconnections among jobs that constitute
the organization.
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Work-flow Analysis
 Work-flow analysis is useful in providing a
means for managers to understand all tasks
required to produce a high-quality product and
the skills necessary to perform those tasks.
 Work-flow analysis includes analyzing:
 work outputs
 work processes
 work inputs
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Developing a Work-Unit Activity Analysis
U
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Lean Production vs Batch Work Methods
Lean Production is processes that emphasize
manufacturing goods with minimum amount of
time, materials, money and people to leverage
technology and flexible, well-trained and skilled
personnel to produce more custom products for
less.
Batch Work Methods use large groups of low
skilled employees to churn out long runs of
identical mass products stored in inventories for
later sale.
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Organization Structure
 Organization structure provides a crosssectional overview of the static relationship
between individuals and units that create
outputs.
 Two dimensions of structure are:
1. Centralization
2. Departmentalization
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Structural Configuration
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Importance of Job Analysis to HR Managers
Work Redesign
Performance Appraisal
HR Planning
Training &
Development
Selection
Career Planning
Job Evaluation
Job Analysis
Job Analysis
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Job Analysis Information
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Sample Job Description
Job Title: Maintenance Mechanic
General Job Description: General maintenance and
repair of all equipment used in operations of a particular
district. Includes servicing company used vehicles, shop
equipment and machinery used on job sites.
1. Essential duty (40%) Maintenance of Equipment
2. Essential duty (40%) Repair of Equipment
3. Essential duty (10%) Testing and Approval
4. Essential duty (10%) Maintain Stock
Nonessential functions: Other duties assigned
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Job Analysis Methods
(FJAS)
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PAQ’s 6 Sections
Information Input
Relationships
Mental Processes
Job Context
Work Output
Other Characteristics
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Position Analysis
Questionnaire Dimensions
 Decision/communication/general responsibilities
 Clerical/related activities
 Technical/related activities
 Service/related activities
 Regular day schedule versus other work schedules
 Routine/repetitive work activities
 Environmental awareness
 General physical activities
 Supervising/coordinating other personnel
 Public/customer/related contact activities
 Unpleasant/hazardous/demanding environment
 Non-typical work schedules
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Job Design and Job Redesign
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Four Approaches Used in Job Design
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Mechanistic Approach
Specialization
Skill Variety
Work Methods Autonomy
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Motivational Approach
Decision-making autonomy
Task significance
Interdependence
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Job Characteristics Model
A model of how job design affects employee reaction
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Biological Approach
Physical demands
Ergonomics
Work conditions
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Perceptual-Motor Approach
Job complexity
Information processing
Equipment use
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The Importance of Job
Analysis to Line Managers
1. Managers must have detailed information
about all the jobs in their work group to
understand work-flow process.
2. Managers need to understand job
requirements to make intelligent hiring
decisions.
3. Managers must clearly understand tasks
required in every job.
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Trade-Offs Among Job Design Approaches
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Summary
 Job analysis and design is a key component for a
competitive advantage and strategy.
 Managers need to understand the entire work-flow
process to ensure efficiency and effectiveness and
have clear, detailed job information.
 Managers can redesign jobs so the work unit is able to
achieve its goals while individuals benefit from
motivation, satisfaction, safety, health and achievement.
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