Difference Between Job Enlargement and

Job Enrichment
Last updated on July 26, 2018 by Surbhi S

O
nce job analysis is completed, it is followed by job design which involves
continuous eforts in organizing activities or tasks, duties and responsibilities
into work unit, to achieve the objectives. There are five approaches to job
design, which are job rotation, job engineering, job enlargement, job
enrichment, and socio-technical system. Two of these approaches which are
most commonly juxtaposed are job enlargement and job enrichment. The
former refers to the increase in the number of tasks performed by an employee
at the same job.

On the other hand, the latter refers to adding certain stimulators to the job so
as to make it rewarding. A job is said to be enriched when the incumbent has
the power to make decisions and plans.

Just take a read of this article to know the basic differences between job
enlargement and job enrichment.

Content: Job Enlargement Vs Job Enrichment

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart
 BASIS FOR
JOB ENLARGEMENT JOB ENRICHMENT
COMPARISON

Meaning A technique of job design in which A management tool used to

the task related to a single job are motivate employees, by adding
increased is known as job responsibilities in the job is known
enlargement. as Job Enrichment.

Concept Quantitatively expanding the scope Qualitatively extending the range

of a job. of activities performed by a job.

Objective To decreases the boredom in To make the job more challenging,

performing a redundant task. interesting and creative.

Outcome May or may not be positive The result of job enrichment is

always positive.

Requirement of No Yes
additional skills

Expansion Horizontal Vertical

Supervision More Comparatively less

Definition of Job Enlargement

Job Enlargement means to increase the tasks of an employee performed by

him in a single job. It is an attempt of management to decrease the
monotony of the repetitive task. Under this technique, few tasks are added to
the existing job which is similar in nature.
 Graphical Representation of Job Enlargement

In this way, variety in the job is added, and it will become more interesting for
the job holders. There are some advantages of job enlargement which are
indicated below:

 It increases the degree of satisfaction in workers because when the job is

enlarged, one employee is assigned the whole or the maximum part of
the project. In this way, their contribution to that particular project is
appreciated.
 In job enlargement, both the physical and mental abilities of a worker
are utilized. However, the jobs should be enlarged to a limited extent,
i.e. up to the capacity of the employee. It should not create pressure and
frustration in an employee.
 It increases the task variety that reduces boredom in performing the job.

With the introduction of a new task in the same job, workers may require
additional training to perform the task. It may also happen that the worker
productivity will fall after the implementation of new system. Further, the
employee may demand increment in their pay for the increase in their
workload.

Definition of Job Enrichment

Job Enrichment is a job design strategy, applied to motivate the employees by

delegating them extra responsibilities to make it more rewarding. In short, we
can say that job enrichment means to upgrade the quality of a job and to make
it more exciting, challenging and creative.
 Graphical Representation of Job Enrichment

The job holder is given responsibilities and power to plan, control and make
important decisions. The requirement of supervision will now be less or it can
also be said that the worker himself will perform the tasks of a supervisor.

The concept of job enrichment was first proposed by an American psychologist

Fredrick Herzberg in 1968. The salient features of job enrichment
are discussed with the help of the following figure:
 Features of Job Enrichment

Job Enrichment helps to improve the efficiency of the worker along with
raising their level of satisfaction. There are more responsibilities, diversity of
tasks, autonomy and growth possibilities in an enriched job as compared to a
normal job.

Key Differences Between Job Enlargement and Job

Enrichment
The major differences between job enlargement and job enrichment are
mentioned as under:

1. A job design strategy in which the number of tasks performed by a single

job is increased is known as Job Enlargement. Job Enrichment is
defined as a motivational tool, used by the management in which the
range of activities performed by a single job is increased to make it
better than before.
2. Job Enlargement involves quantitatively extending the scope of
activities carried out by the job whereas in Job Enrichment
improvements are made in the existing job to increase its quality.
 3. Job Enlargement reduces boredom and monotony while performing a
single task, on and on. Conversely, Job Enrichment makes the job more
challenging, exciting as well as creative.
4. Job Enlargement does not require additional skills but job enrichment
does.
5. In job enlargement, the expansion of tasks is made horizontally, i.e. at
the same level. On the other hand, job enrichment involves vertical
expansion of activities like controlling and doing the task.
6. Job enlargement requires more supervision as compared to job
enrichment.
7. The consequence of introducing job enlargement is not always positive,
but job enrichment will produce positive outcomes.
8. Job Enlargement makes employees feel more responsible and valuable,
while Job Enrichment brings satisfaction and efficiency in employees.

Conclusion

Both job enlargement and job enrichment are regarded as motivational tools
for the employees, used by the management. However, employees find job
enrichment is a far better tool than job enlargement. Job Enrichment gives
planning, controlling and decision-making powers to the job holder. It helps
them to grow and develop. As opposed to job enlargement, which is just a
tactic of management to increase the workload of existing employees. The job
holders feel satisfied that his tasks have been extended, without knowing that
his role and responsibilities are increased.