7/30/2019 Unit 5 Individual Differences and Work Performance

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Individual differences

and Work performance

Associated with differentaspect.

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Work and individual difference.

The job performance of individuals depends on manydifferent characteristics of the individual. Thesecharacteristics have been classified by different

experts in different ways. Further, the actual nature ofrequirements and their importance varies for the kindof job. For example, for a person employed in a non-skilled hard manual labour job, the abilities relating tophysical strength and endurance are much importantthan for the job of an accountant. On the other handmental abilities required in designer of a complicatedprocess plant is much more than that required for ahard manual labour job.

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Contd.

However, the various individual traits orrequirement influencing a person may bequalified in the following categories.

Physical abilities: These include general traitssuch as strength and physical endurance as wella special requirements like minimum height orvision.

Mental abilities: Like physical ability, it mayrelate to general intelligence, or specificrequirements like special problem solving skills.

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Acquired work related knowledge and skills: Thesewill be closely related to the nature of work

Interpersonal skills: This relates to the ability of

person to obtain cooperation of others and workeffectively as a group member.

Self motivation and skills:While organizations andmanagers use various techniques to motivate

employees to work towards achievement of theorganizational goal, the individuals also differ in theirwillingness and ability get subordinate their personalneeds and preferences in the interest of the overallorganizational effectiveness.

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Initiative:This refers to the degree to which theindividual just reacts to the circumstances ortakes positive action spot and use opportunitiesfor improvement.

Innovative ability:this refers to the ability actcreatively to solve problems and create newinnovative products and methods.

Leadership qualities.:This refers to the ability ofthe person to direct the energies and efforts of agroup of people towards achievement of desiredobjectives.

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Factors contributing to individual

differences.

Demographic.-Related to socialenvironment.

Personality.-Related to personal traits

Cultural factors.- Related to the culturalbelieves and value system

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Categories of individual difference.

Individual difference in the work context. Individual difference in cognitive behavior

Individual difference in personality traits.

Individual difference in Personal orientations.

Individual difference in emotional traits. Individual difference in goal striving.

Individual difference in work motivation.

Individual difference in work satisfaction.

Individual difference in decision making behavior. Individual difference in entrepreneurship and company

policies.