Job Uncertainty, Complexity, Variety, and Interdependence

Description

These measures (Job Uncertainty, Complexity, Variety, and Interdependence) were developed by Dean and Snell (1991). The components of uncertainty include job complexity, defined as the extent a job involves mental processes such as problem solving, applying discretion, and using technical knowledge (three items);job variety, defined as the extent to which a job involves performing a number of different tasks and frequently encountering exceptional circumstances requiring flexibility (seven items); and job interdependence, defined as the extent to which people performing a job must rely on or collaborate with others to complete their work (seven items). The three dimensions may also be combined into a single measure of job uncertainty.

Reliability

The coefficient alpha values for job uncertainty (combination of the three dimensions) and for each dimension ranged from .69 to .80 across different types of jobs (Dean & Snell, 1991; Snell & Dean, 1994).

Validity

Job uncertainty in operations correlated positively with job uncertainty in quality and production. Job uncertainty was positively correlated with implementation of advanced manufacturing techniques, job interdependence, organization size, and salary level. Interdependence correlated posi­tively with organization size, and skill-based pay (Dean & Snell, 1991; Snell &Dean, 1994).

 Source

Items

Responses are obtained on a 7-point Likert-type scale. The anchors vary and are provided with each item.

Complexity items:

1. How much technical knowledge do the jobs in this unit require? (Anchors are 1= very little, 4 = a moderate amount, 7 = a great deal)
2. To what extent do the jobs involve solving problems?

(Anchors are 1= very little, 4 = a moderate amount, 7 = a great deal)

3. How complicated are the jobs in this unit?

(Anchors are 1= not at all, 4 = a moderate amount, 7 = very compli­cated)

Variety items:

1. How much variety in tasks, clients, or things do members of your work unit generally encounter in a working day?

(Anchors are 1= very little, 4 = a moderate amount, 7 = a great deal)

2. How routine is the work of members in your unit?

(Anchors are l= not routine, 4 = moderately routine, 7 = very routine) (R)

3. How much opportunity do members have in this unit to do a number of different things?

(Anchors are 1= very little, 4 = a moderate amount, 7 = a great deal)

4. How similar are the tasks members perform in a typical day?

(Anchors are l= very similar, 4 = moderately different, 7 = very different)

5. People in this unit do the same job in the same way most of the (Anchors are 1 = completely true, 7 = completely false)
6. In doing their jobs from day to day, unit members generally have to adopt different methods or

(Anchors are 1 = completely true, 7 = completely false) (R)

7. There are different types or kinds of work to do every day in this (Anchors are 1 = completely true, 7 = completely false) (R)

Interdependence items:

1. How much do people in this unit have to coordinate work with others?

(Anchors are 1 = very little, 4 = a moderate amount, 7 = a great deal)

2. How often do members start work that is finished by others? (Anchors are 1 = rarely, 4 = occasionally, 7 = frequently)
3. How often do members finish work that is started by others? (Anchors are 1 = rarely, 4 = occasionally, 7 = frequently)
4. To what extent is dealing with other people part of jobs in this unit? (Anchors are I= very little, 4 = a moderate amount, 7 = a great deal)
5. How often do individuals in this unit work by themselves?

(Anchors are 1= very little, 4 = a moderate amount, 7 = a great deal)

6. How much does success in this unit depend on cooperation with other people?

(Anchors are 1= very little, 4 = a moderate amount, 7 = a great deal)

7. How much do people in this unit rely on people in other units? (Anchors are 1= very little, 4 = a moderate amount, 7 = a great deal)