Job enlargement and job enrichment are two techniques of job design in order to enhance productivity and satisfaction of the employees. However, they differ from each other in the following respects:
Nature of Job:
The major difference between job enrichment and enlargement lies in the nature of additions to the job. Enlargement involves a horizontal loading or expansion, or addition of tasks of the same nature. Enrichment involves vertical loading of tasks and responsibility of the job holder; it improves the quality of the job in terms of its intrinsic worth.
Purpose:
The purpose of job enlargement is to reduce the monotony in performing repetitive jobs by lengthening the cycle of operation. On the other hand, the purpose of job enrichment is making the job lively, challenging and satisfying. It satisfies the higher-level needs such as ego satisfaction, self-expression, sense of achievement and advancement of Job holders.
Skill Requirement:
Job enlargement may not necessarily require the use of additional skills which the job holder was using in performing the job before the enlargement. This is due to similarity of additional tasks. Enrichment calls for development and utilization of higher skills, initiative, and innovation on the part of the job holder in performing the job.
Direction and Control:
Job enlargement requires direction and control from external sources, say supervisor. In fact, the job holder may require more direction and control because of enlargement of his responsibility. Enrichment does not require external direction and control as these come from the job holder himself. He requires only feedback from his supervisor.
