A psychometric study of the job characteristics scale of the job diagnostic survey in an mis setting

Abstract

Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) is a widely used instrument in research focusing on job design and motivation. Based on Hackman and Oldham's Job Characteristics Theory, it is generally used to examine how workers respond to job design. It has been especially used in the MIS literature to measure the job characteristics of system professionals and their motivation and satisfaction level with their jobs, and their role perceptions. Yet JDS has been widely criticized for its suspect factor structure. Several psychometric studies have been conducted; very few have been able to replicate the factors postulated by the Hackman-Oldham model. Consistently, researchers have found that the proposed structure varied depending on the profession and other job related factors. This paper examines the dimensionality of the job characteristics scale of JDS in a sample consisting of analysts and programmers. The factor structure that emerges suggests that different factors may relate to analysts and programmers. It is recommended that JDS be used with caution especially in a non-homogenous sample.