Identification and Explanation of Significant Implications of Job Enlargement as Perceived by Employees and Elites of a Governmental Organization Using Follow-up Explanation Model

Abstract

Purpose: The present research was performed with the aim of identification and explanation of significant implications of job enlargement as perceived by employees and elites of the health care system.

Design/ methodology/ approach:  Using a follow-up explanation model, this research was conducted on employees and elites of the governmental health care system. In the quantitative phase of the work (phase I), the statistical sample was made up of 206 individuals who were included based on a census approach. In the qualitative studies (phase II), a total of 30 elites across the organization were selected through purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. In the quantitative and qualitative Phases of the study, the required data was acquired through a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, respectively. The quantitative data was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics in the SPSS and Amos software packages. Reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by calculating the Cronbach’s alpha (> 0.75). Face validity was evaluated based on the elites’ opinions, while the construct validity was assessed as appropriate through the confirmatory factor analysis. In the qualitative phase, Brown and Clark thematic analysis method and Maxqda2018 software were used.

Research Findings: Based on the results of the quantitative analyses, it was figured out that the job enlargement exhibits a significantly positive association with individual efficiency, individual motivation, interesting and fulfilling characters of the job, job satisfaction, organizational efficiency, and compliance of employees’ competences with their interests. In the qualitative analyses, we obtained a total of 40 codes, 15 sub- themes, and 3 main themes of advantages, requirements, and disadvantages of job enlargement. Results of the qualitative studies confirmed the positive effect of the job enlargement on the 6 components extracted upon the quantitative analyses (the extracted themes, however, did not confirm the association of the job enlargement and the compliance of employees’ competences with their interests). The themes of job enlargement requirements and disadvantages expanded the results of the quantitative studies.

Limitations & Consequences:  The study was performed on the employees of the health care system. This limits the generalizability of the results of the quantitative analyses.

Practical Consequences: Results of this research can help managers better utilize the job enlargement as a technique.

Innovation or value of the Article: This study was conducted using the follow-up expansion model. This model helps enrich the findings.

Paper Type: Research Article