Which concept is most closely associated with explaining how job design can influence motivation, satisfaction, and performance?

• A. Contingency Theory
• B. Job Characteristics Model
• C. Administrative Management
• D. Scientific Management

Answer: (B)

The concept being assessed is how job design shapes motivation, satisfaction, and performance through specific design features. The Job Characteristics Model explains this by pointing to five core aspects of a job: skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback. When a job includes a range of skills, a coherent piece of work from start to finish, meaningful impact, freedom to decide how to do the work, and clear feedback on results, employees experience meaningfulness, responsibility for outcomes, and knowledge of results. These psychological experiences boost intrinsic motivation and engagement, which in turn raise performance and job satisfaction. Other approaches like Contingency Theory focus on fit between leadership or structure and the situation, while Administrative and Scientific Management emphasize efficiency and processes rather than how specific job features influence motivation and satisfaction.