The history of work design research is voluminous and compelling.
Thousands of studies have demonstrated the wide-reaching and powerful impact the design of work can have on a host of meaningful outcomes.
Yet, absent in much of this research is an explicit consideration of the
context within which work is performed and how this context might
impact work design. Drawing from the theory of work adjustment, we
describe the different ways in which occupations are linked to work
design. In a sample of 805 individuals from 230 occupations, our multilevel examinations show the occupational-level values of achievement,
independence, altruism, status, and comfort are related to a variety of
work characteristics. In addition, we found that work characteristics
are key mechanisms through which these occupational values affect
individual-level job satisfaction. Implications of these results for work
design theory and practice are discussed.