ENHANCING EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE THROUGH TASK SIGNIFICANCE: A THEORETICAL EXPLORATION OF JOB CHARACTERISTICS MODEL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v7i2.1119Keywords:
employee performance, task significance, Job Characteristics Model, public sector organization, civil servantsAbstract
This theoretical paper examines how employee performance in Nigeria’s public sector can be strengthened through task significance, drawing on the Job Characteristics Model (JCM) as its primary theoretical lens. It argues that employees are more motivated, committed, and productive when they perceive their work as meaningful, socially relevant, and capable of influencing the lives of citizens and the broader community. Task significance, alongside other core job dimensions such as skill variety, autonomy, task identity, and feedback, creates psychological states that foster intrinsic motivation, job satisfaction, and enhanced performance. However, the Nigerian public sector often faces structural and contextual challenges, including bureaucratic rigidity, inadequate resources, limited decision-making authority, weak performance feedback systems, and socio-cultural influences, which can diminish employees' perception of their roles' significance. These constraints frequently result in low engagement, reduced accountability, and suboptimal service delivery. By applying JCM principles, public sector organizations can redesign jobs to enhance role clarity, employee ownership, and commitment to organizational goals. The paper further emphasizes the need for context-sensitive interventions that align job design with institutional realities and national development priorities. Ultimately, fostering task significance can improve employee effectiveness, strengthen public service delivery, and promote sustainable organizational and socio-economic development in Nigeria.
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