The Job Characteristics Model (JCM) is measured using a combination of surveys and interviews. Researchers and practitioners use these tools to assess the five core job characteristics:
1. Skill Variety
- Surveys: Questions ask employees about the range of skills they use in their jobs, the extent to which they use different skills, and how interesting they find the variety of skills they use.
- Interviews: Open-ended questions explore how employees perceive the variety of skills they use in their jobs and their experiences with different skill demands.
2. Task Identity
- Surveys: Questions ask employees about the extent to which they complete a whole, identifiable piece of work. They might be asked if they feel responsible for the entire project or if they only work on a small part.
- Interviews: Discussions center around employees' feelings of ownership over their work, the extent to which they contribute to a larger project, and their overall sense of accomplishment.
3. Task Significance
- Surveys: Questions assess the perceived impact of the job on others, both inside and outside the organization. Employees might be asked about the importance of their work to the company's success or to the lives of customers.
- Interviews: Focus on the perceived value and importance of the job. Employees may share their perspectives on how their work contributes to the larger organizational goals or to society as a whole.
4. Autonomy
- Surveys: Questions examine the degree of freedom and independence employees have in planning, scheduling, and carrying out their work. They may be asked about their control over their work methods and their ability to make decisions.
- Interviews: Discussions explore the level of control employees feel over their work, their ability to make choices, and the extent to which they feel empowered to take initiative.
5. Feedback
- Surveys: Questions assess the clarity and frequency of information employees receive about their performance. They may be asked about how often they receive feedback, how useful it is, and whether it comes from supervisors or colleagues.
- Interviews: Focus on the sources of feedback employees receive, the quality and frequency of feedback, and how it impacts their job satisfaction and performance.
By analyzing the data collected from these assessments, researchers and practitioners can understand the extent to which a job possesses the characteristics that contribute to high levels of motivation, job satisfaction, and performance.
