Influence of Higher-Level Contextual Factors on Work Design

Abstract

This paper reviews the impact of markets, hierarchies, social interactions, and relationships on work design in organizations. To consider their individual and combined effects on work design, this review draws on relevant theories and empirical findings from multiple disciplines. This review proposes that these factors act inseparably, that they can complement, substitute or replace each other, drawing attention to the need to consider relationships between them, as well as direct and interactive effects of each of them in shaping work design in organizations.