Final answer:
Task significance in the Job Characteristics Model implies the extent to which a job affects other's lives or work and is considered crucial as it impacts job satisfaction and employee engagement. High task significance often correlates with high skill requirements and higher intrinsic motivation, influencing overall job performance positively.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Job Characteristics Model, task significance is defined as the degree to which a job has a substantial impact on the lives or work of other people, either within the organization or in the external environment. Task significance is considered a crucial factor because it can influence an employee's psychological state, affecting their job satisfaction and perception of the importance of their work. Higher task significance can lead to a greater sense of purpose, motivating employees to perform better and exhibit higher engagement in their roles.
Davis and Moore suggested that tasks requiring more skill generally carry greater importance, which reflects the idea of task significance. Jobs with high significance, like designing a highway system or delivering a baby, often require specialized skills and have a clear impact on society. This significant impact can lead to higher job satisfaction, as research has shown that the content and significance of work are more predictive of job satisfaction than pay level alone. In contrast, jobs considered to have lower task significance, like cleaning hallways or answering phones, may offer less intrinsic motivation.