Which job design method focuses on improving tasks by increasing variety and autonomy?

The job design method that emphasizes improving tasks by increasing variety and autonomy is job enrichment. Job enrichment involves enhancing a job's content by adding more meaningful tasks, greater responsibility, and opportunities for personal growth. This method aims to motivate employees by providing them with more control over their work and encouraging them to take on additional challenges.

Increasing variety helps to alleviate monotony and boredom that can arise from repetitive tasks, while greater autonomy allows individuals to make decisions about how they complete their work. This combination can lead to a more engaged and satisfied workforce, as employees feel their contributions have more significance and that they have a say in their work processes.

In contrast, other job design methods focus on simplifying or standardizing tasks. Job specialization typically divides tasks into smaller components, which can lead to monotony. Job simplification focuses on reducing the complexity of tasks, and job enlargement involves increasing the number of tasks an employee performs but does not inherently increase autonomy or the variety in terms of job depth. Therefore, job enrichment stands out as the method specifically designed to enhance both variety and autonomy in job roles.