Job Routinization and Formalization scale

Description

This measure (Job Routinization and Formalization) was developed by Bacharach, Bamberger, and Conley (1990) to capture the elements often used in organizations to assert indirect control on workers. The preferences of employees are often in conflict with the needs of organizations to reduce uncertainty and variation in performance through routinization, formal documentation, establishment of rules, and re­ cord-keeping requirements for jobs. Collectively, these efforts to structure jobs may have positive effects by reducing employee ambiguity and nega­tive effects by making jobs less appealing (Bacharach & Bamberger, 1995). The measure uses 12 items to describe the routinization, formalization, per­vasiveness of rules, and record-keeping requirements of a job.

Reliability

Coefficient alpha values for routinization ranged from.71 to .83 (Bacharach & Bamberger, 1995; Bacharach et al., 1990). Coefficient alpha values were for formalization, .70 for pervasiveness of rules, and .72 for record keep­ing (Bacharach et , 1990).

Validity

Routinization was negatively correlated with role overload and challenge/ opportunities for growth. Pervasiveness of rules and record keeping were positively correlated with formal communication and formalization and negatively correlated with autonomy. Formalization was positively correlated with role conflict and the pervasiveness of rules for a job and negatively correlated with role overload and autonomy (Bacharach et al., 1990).

Source

Items

Routinization items:

Responses to items 1 and 2 are obtained on a 4-point Likert-type scale where 1 = definitely true and 4 = definitely false.

1. There is something different to do here every day
2. For almost every job I do, there is something new happening almost every day

Responses to item 3 are obtained on a 4-point Likert-type scale where l= very non-routine and 4 = very routine.

3. How routine would you say the work here is?

Pervasiveness of rules items:

Responses are obtained on a 4-point Likert-type scale where I = definitely false and 4 = definitely true.

1. We have procedures here for every situation
2. I have to follow strict operating procedures at all times
3. I always check to see that I’m following the

Record-keeping items:

Responses are obtained on a 4-point Likert-type scale where 1 = definitely false and 4 = definitely true.

1. In case of a crisis, I always refer to written records for accountability
2. I keep accurate records of every situation
3. I frequently use the records to check for information on an issue

Formalization items:

Responses are obtained on a 4-point Likert-type scale where I = definitely false and 4 = definitely true.

1. There exists a document indicating the general procedure to follow
2. There is a complete written description for my job
3. There is a handbook or manual for my facility
4. There is a chart showing the chain of command
5. There are well-defined procedures specifying the proper channels of communication in most matters
6. The organization keeps a written record of everyone’s job performance