Playing With a Concept: Teaching Job Characteristics Model With a Tinkertoy® Builder Set. (August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smrt, Diana Lazarova; Nelson, Reed Elliot
• Is Part Of: Journal of management education. Volume 37:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 539
• Page End: 561
• Publication Date: 2013-08
• Subjects: job characteristics model -- experiential exercise -- Tinkertoy® builder set -- teams -- job design -- quality of working life; Management -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Executives -- Training of -- Periodicals; Organizational behavior -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 658
• DOI: 10.1177/1052562912458093
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1052-5629

Abstract

Using a toy construction set, we introduce to students the job characteristics model in a fun and engaging way. The activity not only describes the theoretical variables of the model but also allows students to (a) experience the dynamic interaction among these variables and (b) gain a better, hands-on understanding of the model. The exercise progresses through three stages where participants are gradually exposed to different manipulations of the variables in the job characteristics model. The exercise can be conducted in one quick-paced 75-minute class session.