ABSTRACT
The performance of organizations and their employees is a function of the interplay between ability and situation. In order to succeed, organizations need to hire and retain employees with the skill sets and experience to do the tasks that are assigned to them. Ability, however, is not always sufficient, because employees are often asked to perform tasks under conditions that may actually hinder their ability to accomplish task goals. Although the conditions under which work is performed within the organization are not always under the purview of managers and employees, organizations must identify opportunities to improve the characteristics and working conditions of the jobs they ask their employees to perform. One way organizations often approach these issues involves job design.
