What Aspects of Organizational Redesign Enhance Job Quality?
Organizational redesign was studied at an industrial company. The outcome was documented during a two-years period by means of interviews, questionnaires and documentation material. The aim of the study was to describe and analyze what aspects of work industrial workers found important while in the midst of the organizational redesign. Workers considered personal responsibility, variation in tasks, and control over their work situation the most important factors. Much more information and performance feedback from management was desired. They also wanted more possibilities to influence decisions regarding their work and greater freedom to plan their work activities. Workers had conforming needs with respect to their desired work situation, even though they rated their existing work situation differently. The involvement in the change process seemed to positively influence their development and commitment to work. The findings emphasize a shift from individual focus on “resistance to change”, to a holistic focus on “preparation to change”. An integrated view on structural, relational, and individual factors entails a better understanding of the change process as a phenomena, and might give a key to a better understanding of work motivation and satisfaction.