JOB ENRICHMENT FOR PROFIT.

This article cites a study which investigates the profit-oriented objectives various behind job enrichment projects of different organizations. The data for this study used was collected during an extensive investigation of 58 job enrichment projects in as many organizations. Individuals in 189 companies and six agencies of the Federal Government which were believed to have enrichment projects were contacted and asked to cooperate in a study designed to investigate the economic benefits of Job Enrichment. Ninety percent of those contacted responded. Three different strategies emerged from a study of these objectives. The first strategy is characterized by organizations striving primarily for economic returns. Within these organizations projects were implemented principally for the financial benefits which might occur. A second strategy was illustrated by firms interested strictly in non-economic motives. This is best described as an attempt to improve employee well-being with a complete lack of concern regarding the occurrence of economic returns. The data revealed that most organizations choose a performance related strategy, that is the third strategy, which falls somewhere between the two. This can, suggestively, be described best as a desire to improve profitability while at the same time creating what are believed to be better jobs for the employees involved.