Job Enrichment, Enlargement, and Teamwork

How does job enrichment differ from job enlargement?

When jobs are simplified, sometimes they must be redesigned in order to introduce a greater degree of complexity and subsequent employee motivation and interest. 

When jobs are enlarged, the variety of tasks is increased, and employees have a different set of responsibilities on the job. 

However, when jobs are enriched, the job is actually expanded so that more complex tasks and a greater degree of responsibility are taken on by the employee.

This enrichment, as opposed to enlargement, is responsible for increased employee motivation.

Where does teamwork come into play amid the nature of work?

A team is defined as a group of people linked together in an effort to reach a common goal or objective. Note that teams and groups are not the same—to be a group, a common goal or objective is not required.  In the organization, teams are becoming more and more utilized in order to increase employees’ control over their jobs as well as to act as an aid in decision making.  Teams can be differentiated in a number of ways:

• Top Management vs. Cross-functional
• Temporary vs. Ongoing
• Process-oriented vs. Production-oriented

The use of teamwork in the organization should have an impact on employee selection. 

Generally, teamwork requires special understanding and skill that not all employees may have, especially in terms of interpersonal savvy and task interdependence.  However, individuals are often selected into an organization on the basis of independent skills and abilities.  It seems appropriate that if an organization utilizes a team structure, potential employees should be aware of this, and great attention should be given to staffing teams and preparing employees for teamwork.