Employee motivation is integral to organizational success. Motivated employees facilitate an increase in productivity, hence a higher output level, which results in organizational success. The task performed by employees is critical to motivation within the workplace. Hackman and Oldham developed the job characteristics model, founded on the premise that the job itself is supposed to be the key to employee motivation. Job techniques influence employee satisfaction, performance, and motivation. These techniques are the five core job dimensions that are elucidated by Hackman and Oldham's concept. They include task identity, skill variety, task significance, autonomy, and job feedback (Nnamseh, 2014). These models propose that organizations must design jobs that have the capability of motivating employees. These aspects are crucial to organizational success; however, this study will look at the role of task significance in employee motivation.
Task significance plays a vital role in employee motivation. Task significance can be described as the degree to which a job is important or affects others outside or within the organization. In a scenario where employees feel like their organization's roles are essential to the organization and the community, they feel motivated to increase productivity and performance. According to Allan, Duffy & Collisson (2018), task significance and work meaningfulness are associated with improving job performance. Employees who have a sense of purpose at work feel passionate, innovative, and are committed to excel. This is the case since, in most instances, their professional purpose is aligned with their purpose. Consequently, they are driven and determined to do their best to accomplish their personal and professional objectives. Such employees record high levels of work satisfaction and enjoy their roles within the organization.
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Task significance should be implemented in organizations to help align their tasks within their organizations with their purpose. Management within any organization has the responsibility of aligning organizational tasks with the purpose of the employees. This is important since it helps to offer meaning and purpose to employees, which is an excellent source of motivation, especially for baby boomers and the millennial generation. Aligning employee tasks with purpose will make them feel valued, meaningful, and appreciated. When employees feel valued, they strive for higher performance (Allan, Duffy & Collisson, 2018). As such, employers can always find a way of appreciating even small accomplishments from the employees. For instance, an employer can give a congratulatory email to an employer after they complete a particular project. This would show them that their work at the company is not in vain and that they are being noticed. This gives them motivation and helps underwrite an increase in performance and productivity.
Task significance can be implemented by creating opportunities for employees to grow and learn. Maintaining the status quo at work can be monotonous to an employee. Therefore, offering activities such as training in an organization provides a sense of belonging and makes employees feel like they matter to the company. A learning culture in an organization improves employee engagement, which results in productivity and organizational success (Baker & Oerlemans, 2018). Another way of implementing task significance is by creating opportunities for employees to collaborate or be mentors. Teamwork is an essential aspect of any organization. Collaboration helps to facilitate engagement and help employees learn new skills and competencies. For instance, allowing employees to mentor others would help them gain different perspectives and gain the urge to improve themselves. Such opportunities make an employee want to do better for themselves and the company. It makes them feel like they are a part of something more significant in the company.
Task significance is crucial for organizations since it helps to motivate employees to achieve higher levels of performance. Task significance helps employees feel valued, appreciated. This is essential in increasing job satisfaction. It helps to motivate employees by making them feel passionate, innovative, and are committed to excel. Organizations must look to implement task significance by aligning employee tasks with their purpose and creating growth and development opportunities.
References
Allan, B. A., Duffy, R. D., & Collisson, B. (2018). Task significance and performance: Meaningfulness as a mediator. Journal of Career Assessment , 26(1), 172-182.
Baker, A. B., & Oerlemans, W. G. (2018). Motivating Job Characteristics and Happiness at Work: A Multilevel Perspective. Journal of Applied Psychology, 103.
Nnamseh, I. A. (2014). Hackman and Oldham Job Characteristics Model (JCM) and Akwa Ibom State Civil Servants’ Performance. Canadian Social Science , 89-97.
