A PERSPECTIVE ON WORK SYSTEM-ANALYSIS - CLASSIFICATION AND EVALUATIONOF METHODS

An inclusive model is presented for work system assessment. The focus of this paper is on job content and context with the primary aim of qu antitatively establishing a level of risk for the purpose of improving organizational performance and quality of life in the work setting. T he scientific literature on job analysis techniques is reviewed with r espect to content relative to the inclusive model. Techniques are clas sified into microassessment, macroassessment and comprehensive methods . The basis for each classification is outlined. Microassessment metho ds principally focus on a component subset of the inclusive model in d etail. Macroassessment methods more broadly evaluate a subset of the c omponent areas. Comprehensive methods incorporate elements of microass essment methods as well as macroassessment methods and address many co mponents of the inclusive model. The methods are then evaluated based on their ability to achieve the fundamental objectives of job analysis as well as the quality criteria of validity, reliability and utility. No method was found to be sufficient in terms of the aforementioned c ritical criteria.