QUESTION $6(20$ Marks$)$

Discontent is growing among employees in the Research and Development $($R&D$)$ Department at Greenleaf Agriculture, a

leading agricultural business renowned for its commitment to sustainable farming. The R&D team is responsible for

developing new crop varieties and for improving farming techniques. However, the company$$s failure to implement key

aspects of the job characteristics model has led to repetitive tasks and a lack of meaningful impact in their roles. This has

led to a decline in creativity and a notable drop in motivation. The R&D team, once brimming with innovative ideas, now

finds themselves mired in uninspired work, struggling with low engagement and dwindling productivity as they grapple with

a cycle of monotonous tasks and diminishing enthusiasm.

Critically discuss how the job characteristics model can be used to improve the design of jobs within the Research and

Development Department at Greenleaf Agriculture. Provide examples to motivate your answer.