Perceived Task Characteristics and Employee Performance: A Literature Review

We review 13 studies dealing with empirical relationships between perceived task scope and employee performance. Results from these studies are contradictory and inconclusive. Most studies use less than adequate measures of employee performance. Moreover, although a causal relationship is assumed, reciprocal or reverse causality may exist. There is a clear need for further theoretical explication and improved laboratory and field research aimed at enhancing both construct validity and substantive considerations.