Master of Industrial Organizational Psychology

Part 1: Job Placement

Findings of the Three Ratings

The importance and level of activities in the generalized work ratings shed light on crucial aspects of the job. Processing information emerges as highly important, indicating the significance of information handling in the role (ONET, n.d.). Making decisions/solving problems ranks high in level, emphasizing the need for decision-making prowess. Communicating with supervisors/peers/subordinates holds substantial importance and activity level, underlining the role’s collaborative nature. Organizing/planning/prioritizing work is vital, indicating a need for effective task management and organization.

The ability ratings highlight essential cognitive and physical capabilities. Oral comprehension and written comprehension stand out as highly important abilities, suggesting the significance of effective listening and reading comprehension (ONET, n.d.). Fluency of ideas, indicating the ability to generate a variety of ideas quickly, is crucial for creative thinking and problem-solving. Category flexibility, a cognitive skill, is marked as highly important, emphasizing the need for adapting to different tasks and scenarios.

Work styles ratings capture personal attributes crucial for success in the job. Achievement/effort, emphasizing a commitment to performance excellence, is highly important. Adaptability/flexibility is crucial, indicating the need to adjust to changing circumstances. Analytical thinking, marked as highly important, underscores the importance of analytical skills in problem-solving (ONET, n.d.).

Determining Job Difficulty and KSAO Levels

The determination of job difficulty and KSAO levels involves a comprehensive analysis of the generalized work ratings and ability ratings. Job difficulty is assessed based on the combination of importance and level of activities (Spector, 2012). Tasks marked as highly important and requiring a high level of activity contribute to the overall difficulty assessment. In this context, activities like processing information, making decisions/solving problems, and communicating effectively play a central role. A higher difficulty level suggests a challenging and demanding job environment.

The levels of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAO) are determined by the importance and level of abilities identified in the ability ratings (Spector, 2012). For instance, abilities such as written comprehension, fluency of ideas, and category flexibility, marked as highly important, indicate a need for candidates with advanced cognitive capabilities. This method ensures that individuals with the appropriate knowledge and skills are matched to the job requirements.

Important Parts of the Job for Person-Job Fit

The critical activities identified in the generalized work ratings provide insights into the foundational elements of the job. Processing information emerges as a linchpin activity, suggesting that individuals with strong analytical and information processing skills are well-suited (Schmitt & Highhouse, 2012). Making decisions/solving problems and effective communication are pivotal, indicating the need for candidates who excel in decision-making and interpersonal communication.

Key abilities such as written comprehension, fluency of ideas, and category flexibility serve as pillars for person-job fit (Schmitt & Highhouse, 2012). Candidates with exceptional reading and comprehension skills, creative thinking abilities, and cognitive flexibility are likely to align well with the job requirements. These abilities contribute to problem-solving, adaptability, and innovation.

Work styles ratings highlight personal characteristics crucial for success. Achievement/effort reflects the commitment to high performance, making it a fundamental aspect of person-job fit. Adaptability/flexibility is essential for individuals who can navigate diverse challenges, and analytical thinking is crucial for those who can approach problems systematically (Schmitt & Highhouse, 2012).

Job Placement Findings and Relationship to Ratings

Effective job placement hinges on aligning candidate strengths with the identified critical aspects of the job (Schmitt & Highhouse, 2012). Successful placement should prioritize the candidate’s adept at processing information and making decisions. Individuals with strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to evaluate information accurately would excel in roles requiring these activities. Candidates excelling in communication, both within the organization and externally, are paramount for effective job performance. Those who can establish and maintain interpersonal relationships, as highlighted in the ratings, are essential for collaborative work environments (Schmitt & Highhouse, 2012).

Individuals with high proficiency in written comprehension, fluency of ideas, and category flexibility are well-suited for roles demanding innovation and adaptability. These abilities contribute to problem-solving, idea generation, and a flexible approach to tasks. Work styles emphasizing achievement, adaptability, and analytical thinking are crucial for a successful person-job fit. Candidates displaying persistence, adaptability to changing circumstances, and a systematic approach to problem-solving are likely to thrive (Schmitt & Highhouse, 2012).

In conclusion, the detailed analysis of the three ratings provides a comprehensive understanding of the job, allowing for informed decisions in job placement. The identified important work activities, abilities, and work styles serve as a roadmap for matching individuals with the right attributes to the job requirements. The method employed for determining job difficulty and KSAO levels ensures a nuanced evaluation of candidates, leading to a more precise and effective person-job fit. Effective job placement, informed by these findings, contributes to organizational success by ensuring that individuals are well-matched to the demands of the job, fostering productivity and job satisfaction.

References

ONET Online. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.onetonline.org/

Schmitt, N., & Highhouse, S. (Eds.). (2012). The Oxford Handbook of Personnel Assessment and Selection. Oxford University Press.

Spector, P. E. (2012). Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Research and Practice. Wiley.

Part 3: Training and Development

Training Program

One job-related training program that I am aware of through other sources is the ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) training program. ITIL is a widely adopted framework for IT Service Management, and its training program aims to educate professionals on best practices and processes to improve IT service delivery and customer satisfaction (Ogubuike, 2012).

Two employee-training needs that the ITIL training program intends to address are job-related and organizational needs (Hiles, 2007). From a job-related perspective, IT professionals need to understand and implement ITIL practices to effectively manage and support IT services, such as incident management, problem management, or change management. By undergoing ITIL training, employees gain the necessary skills and knowledge to execute these practices efficiently (Ogubuike, 2012).

From an organizational perspective, ITIL training addresses the need for standardized processes and a common language across different IT teams and departments. It allows organizations to establish consistent procedures for managing IT services, resulting in improved coordination and collaboration between various stakeholders (Ogubuike, 2012).

Based on feedback from professionals who have undergone ITIL training, these needs are generally met successfully. The program equips employees with job-specific skills and knowledge, enabling them to perform their roles more effectively (Hiles, 2007). Additionally, organizations that have implemented ITIL practices have reported improved service quality, reduced downtime, and increased customer satisfaction (Ogubuike, 2012).

Needs analysis plays a significant role in job training as it helps identify the gaps and requirements that exist within a particular job or organization. By conducting a thorough needs analysis, trainers and organizations can understand the specific knowledge, skills, and competencies that employees need to perform their jobs successfully (Hiles, 2007). This analysis ensures that training programs are tailored to address these specific needs and objectives rather than being generic or irrelevant. As a result, needs analysis enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of training programs, leading to improved job performance and organizational outcomes (Ogubuike, 2012).

Needs Analysis

To conduct a needs analysis for employees to effectively complete online training, we need to identify the resources and support required. In this case, assuming employees already know how to use a PC and the internet, the focus is on their familiarity with the Blackboard learning management system (LMS), as well as their proficiency in writing papers and sending email attachments. The company needs to provide employees with training on how to navigate and utilize the features of the Blackboard LMS. This could include online tutorials or video guides on how to access and navigate the Blackboard platform (Blackboard, n.d.) and clear instructions on accessing and submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and accessing course materials (Antonio et al., 2010).

If employees are required to write a paper summarizing their learning, they may need guidance on writing techniques and tools for creating and formatting the paper. The company can offer writing resources or guidelines on how to structure and format the paper effectively (American Psychological Association, 2020), access to word processing software and guidance on how to use it for writing, editing, and formatting, and assistance in obtaining relevant sources and references (Antonio et al., 2010).

The company should ensure that employees can send email attachments successfully. This can be achieved by providing training or resources on how to attach files to emails using their preferred email platform (Gurzick et al., 2018) and conducting practice sessions or simulations to verify that employees can attach files correctly. By addressing these needs through training and support, employees will be equipped with the necessary skills to effectively complete online training using the Blackboard platform, write papers, and send them as email attachments.

Three Factors

When proposing a training evaluation for an online training program, three factors that I would consider are learning outcomes assessment, user satisfaction assessment, and application. Learning outcomes assessment focuses on evaluating whether the training program has effectively achieved its intended learning outcomes. It involves assessing the knowledge, skills, and competencies that employees have gained through online training. This evaluation helps determine if the training was successful in transferring the desired knowledge to the learners (Kirkpatrick, 1996).

User satisfaction is an important factor in evaluating the effectiveness of an online training program. It involves gathering feedback from the learners regarding their satisfaction with various aspects of the training, such as the course content, delivery methods, and usability of the online platform. This evaluation helps identify areas of improvement and ensures that the training program meets the needs and expectations of the learners (Lee, Yoon, & Lee, 2009). Application or the transfer of learning focuses on assessing whether the knowledge and skills gained through the online training program are effectively applied and transferred to the workplace. It involves evaluating if employees can implement what they have learned and if it results in improved job performance and organizational outcomes (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, 2019).

The most important aspect of training to evaluate is the application and transfer of learning. While learning outcomes assessment and user satisfaction are crucial, ultimately, the effectiveness of a training program lies in its impact on job performance and organizational success. Evaluating the application and transfer of learning helps determine if the training program is positively influencing employee behavior and contributes to the achievement of business objectives (Kraiger et al., 2014).

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.

Antonio, A. L., Tuffley, D., & Wood, L. N. (2010). Understanding the students: A longitudinal study of student. BMC Medical Education, 10(17). doi: 10.1186/1472-6920-10-17

Blackboard. (n.d.). Blackboard Help – Students. Retrieved from https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Student

Hiles, A. (2007). ITIL Foundation Exam Study Guide. John Wiley & Sons.

Kirkpatrick, D. L. (1996). Great Ideas Revisited – Techniques for Evaluating Training Programs. Training & Development, 50(1), 54-59.

Kirkpatrick, J., & Kirkpatrick, W. (2019). Kirkpatrick’s four levels of training evaluation. Association for Talent Development (ATD Press).

Kraiger, K., Ford, J. K., & Salas, E. (2014). Application of cognitive, skill-based, and affective theories of learning outcomes to new methods of training evaluation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 99(2), 311-318.

Lee, S. H., Yoon, S. W., & Lee, W. C. (2009). Assessing e-learning systems success and user acceptance: Web-based simulations. Computers & Education, 52(4), 800-810.

Ogubuike, V. O. (2012). Implementation of IT Service Management in the ITIL Framework: A Case Study of One Utility Company. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 3(4), 82-88.