A Failure of Job Enrichment: The Case of the Change That Wasn't

Abstract

The authors detail a change to semiautonomous workgroups undertaken in the stock transfer department of a metropolitan bank. Ultimately, the goals of increased job satisfaction, higher motivation, and greater productivity were not met, predominantly because the job enrichment planned for was not carried out. Believing that "through failure we often learn the most about the strengths and weaknesses of behavioral science techniques," the authors analyze the circumstances in the environment that compromised the success of the job enrichment project, admit lack of attention to workgroup theory, and prescribe four basic guides for the successful implementation of organizational change techniques that involve the redesign of work.