The correct answer is E. simplification; enlargement. Job simplification and job enlargement are two contrasting approaches to the design and organization of work within an organization. Let’s explore why this answer is correct and then discuss why the other options are not as suitable.

E. Simplification; Enlargement (Correct Answer):

Job simplification and job enlargement are often considered opposite approaches to job design.

Job Simplification:

Job simplification is the process of breaking down a job into its simplest and most basic components. The aim is to eliminate unnecessary tasks, reduce complexity, and create a job that can be performed with minimal skill or training.

This approach is often associated with assembly-line work, where repetitive and straightforward tasks are assigned to workers. The primary goal of job simplification is to increase efficiency and reduce the need for specialized skills, resulting in a more standardized and easily replaceable workforce.

Job Enlargement:

Job enlargement, on the other hand, involves expanding the scope of a job by adding more tasks or responsibilities to it. The purpose of job enlargement is to make jobs more interesting and challenging by reducing monotony and increasing variety.

Employees with enlarged jobs are expected to perform a broader range of tasks that require a wider skill set. This approach is meant to enhance job satisfaction and engagement by giving employees a more diverse set of responsibilities.

The contrast between job simplification and job enlargement lies in the degree of variety and complexity of tasks. Job simplification reduces tasks to their simplest forms, while job enlargement broadens the scope of tasks, making them more varied and complex.

Now, let’s examine why the other options are not as suitable:

A. Rotation; Enrichment:

Job rotation involves moving employees across different roles or tasks, providing them with variety and exposure to various aspects of the organization. Job enrichment, however, focuses on enhancing job satisfaction by adding depth and responsibility to a single job. These two concepts are related but not opposites. In fact, job enrichment can be part of a rotation strategy.

B. Rotation; Enlargement:

Similar to option A, job rotation and job enlargement are related but not opposites. Job rotation involves moving employees through various positions, increasing their exposure to different tasks. Job enlargement involves broadening the responsibilities within a single job, but it doesn’t necessarily involve rotating to other positions.

C. Loading; Enrichment:

The terms “loading” and “enrichment” do not represent commonly recognized job design concepts. While job enrichment is related to expanding job responsibilities to increase job satisfaction, “loading” is not a standard term used in this context.

D. Simplification; Enrichment:

This option is the opposite of the correct answer (E), as it pairs job simplification with job enrichment. While job enrichment is aimed at making jobs more satisfying by adding depth and responsibility, job simplification aims to reduce tasks and complexity to enhance efficiency but may have the side effect of making jobs less engaging.

In summary, the correct answer is E. simplification; enlargement because it accurately pairs the opposite approaches of job simplification (reducing tasks and complexity) and job enlargement (increasing variety and responsibility).

Understanding these different approaches to job design is essential for organizations when considering how to structure and organize work to optimize both efficiency and employee satisfaction.