job-characteristics model
a model that attempts to characterize the basic parameters of a job as they affect the psychological state of the employee, especially with regard to motivation. The five core job dimensions are identified as skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback. The model holds that work motivation, job performance, and job satisfaction will all be improved if jobs are designed or redesigned to maximize these dimensions. See Job Diagnostic Survey. See also job enlargement; job enrichment. [proposed by J. Richard Hackman and U.S. organizational behaviorist Greg R. Oldham (1947– )]