'Job design techniques always improve job satisfaction.' To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of research you have studied to support your answer.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [X] Job enrichment gives workers more responsibility (e.g., redesigning tasks, team responsibility), which typically increases satisfaction.
2. [X] Job enlargement involves additional and more varied tasks without increased responsibility, which may or may not improve satisfaction (can increase workload).
3. [X] Job rotation changes tasks but maintains the same level of responsibility, providing variation and reducing boredom but unlikely to significantly improve satisfaction (e.g., slow rotation).
4. [X] The measure of job satisfaction itself may have flaws, leading workers to report negatively even if conditions improve.
5. [X] Other variables (e.g., physical/psychological working conditions, being overqualified, lack of intrinsic motivation) can cause job dissatisfaction regardless of job design techniques.