Individual differences in output variability as a function of job complexity

Abstract

The hypothesis was tested that the standard deviation of employee output as a percentage of mean output (SD-sub(p)) increases as a function of the complexity level of the job. The data examined were adjusted for the inflationary effects of measurement error and the deflationary effects of range restriction on observed SD-sub(p figures, refinements absent from previous studies. Results indicate that SD-sub(p increases as the information-processing demands (complexity) of the job increase; the observed progression was approximately 19%, 32%, and 48%, from low to medium to high complexity nonsales jobs, respectively. SD-sub(p values for sales jobs are considerably larger. These findings have important implications for the output increases that can be produced through improved selection. They may also contribute to the development of a theory of work performance. In addition, there may be implications in labor economics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2003 APA, all rights reserved)