Redesigning work design theories: the rise of relational and proactive perspectives (2/2)

Question 1

Describe the model of work design and proactive behavior

Answer 1

Question 2

What are the work characteristics of the model of work design and proactive behavior (7)

Answer 2

1. autonomy
2. ambiguity
3. accountability
4. job complexity
5. time pressure & constraints
6. Routinization
7. Social characteristics (interaction, support, interdependence)

Question 3

What are the individual moderators int he model of work design and proactive behavior (3)

Answer 3

Proactive personality
Core self evaluations
Cognitive ability

Question 4

What are the mediating mechanisms in the model of work design and proactive behavior (3)

Answer 4

1. Motivation and affect
2. Knowledge and skills
3. Opportunity

Question 5

What are the moderating mechanisms in the model of work design and proactive behavior (4)

Answer 5

1. Changing context
2. Changing jobs
3. Changing self-attributes
4. Changing relationships

Question 6

What are the outcomes in the model of work design and proactive behavior (3)

Answer 6

Proactive work behavior
proactive strategic behavior
Proactive person-environment fit behavior

Question 7

How does autonomy influence the proactiveness of employees (2)

Answer 7

(1) Work designed to provide autonomy is associated with greater role-breadth and self-efficacy, improving proactiveness
(2) people with a more proactive personality are more willing and able to capitalize on autonomy and engage in proactive behaviors

Question 8

how does ambiguity influence the proactiveness of employees (2)

Answer 8

(1) Ambiguity increases proactive behaviors by increasing employees’ desire to combat uncertainty
(2) However, it is a double-edge sword because it is also linked to stress

Question 9

How does accountability influence the proactiveness of employees

Answer 9

(1) Accountability motivates proactive behavior by strengthening feelings of responsibility for taking initiative

Question 10

When is accountability most effective in influencing proactiveness of employees?

Answer 10

If the audience to whom individuals are accountable are:

• Well informed
• Valuing accuracy
• Holds unknown views

Question 11

Why is routine or routinization a double edged word?

Answer 11

1. It is usually assumed to undermine motivation and satisfaction
2. However, in high complex or stressful/demanding jobs it can increase proactive behavior by enhancing cognitive capacity resulting in more creativity and positive emotions

Question 12

What is the role of social context in proactive behavior (3)?

Answer 12

(1) Employees with contacts outside company beneficiaries increase levels of initiative and creativity
(2) Receiving social support leads to more proactive behavior
(3) psychological safe climate leads to more proactive learning

Question 13

What are the different types of boundariesthat are prone to job crafting and to what underlying basic motivations to they tie into?

Answer 13

Changing task boundaries - desire for control and meaning
Changing cognitive boundaries - desire for a positive self-image
changing relational boundaries - desire for conectedness

Question 14

What does changing task boundaries entail?

Answer 14

Taking on more tasks

Question 15

What does changing cognitive boundaries entail?

Answer 15

Alter your view of work

Question 16

What does changing relational boundaries entail?

Answer 16

Alter the range, number or nature of interactions at work

Question 17

Under which circumstances is job crafting more used?

Answer 17

Jobs with high autonomy and/or low task interdependence; because of better received opportunity

Question 18

What are I-deals?

Answer 18

Idiosyncratic deals = customized employment terms

Question 19

What is the difference between ex ante or ex post I-deals?

Answer 19

Ex ante = prior to employment
ex post. = after employment started

thus difference is in timing of when the deal has been made

Question 20

What are some advantages of I-deals? (4)

Answer 20

1. Lower levels of work/family conflict
2. Higher commitment
3. less unpaid overtime
4. Higher job complexity and control; increasing initiative and engagement

Question 21

What are some disadvantages of I-deals? (3)

Answer 21

1. May increase performance expecations
   (2) more unpaid overtime work
   (3) Only possible if employee has strong relationship with supervisor, thus has a premise of supportive climates

Question 22

What is proactive work behavior?

Answer 22

Changing the internal organizational environment

Question 23

What is proactive strategic behavior

Answer 23

Changing the organizations relation to the external environment

Question 24

What is proactive person-environment fit behavior

Answer 24

More clearly target towards the self; making changes to have greater compatibility with the organization

Question 25

What are some negative consequences of proactive behavior? (3)

Answer 25

(1) You may get exhausted from thinking ahead
(2) your personal relations can be affected if you are too obsesses with improving the work
(3) If you are proactive but your environment don’t appreciates it, it causes lower motivation and engagement