摘要：The purpose of this paper is to explore a theoretical aspect of job design in a way
that departs from the dominant paradigm. The functionalist perspective is regarded as the
dominant paradigm in the study of organizations (Burrell & Morgan, 1979). Scientists
working within the functionalist framework, in their effort to predict and control, rely on
the scientific method for analysis and explanation of phenomenon. An alternative
manner of analysis may help researchers gain a better understanding of job design from
the standpoint of the participant. One alternative way to look at job design is from the
interpretivist perspective that constitutes the focus of this paper. First, job design is
defined from the functionalist perspective. Next we will turn to the interpretivist
perspective for suggestions on analysis of job design. The paper then includes
theorization about job design from the interpretivist perspective. Following the
theorization are excerpts from journal articles that represent suggestions for analysis of
job design from the interpretivist perspective.
