174 Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofi t Organizations
Occupational Information Network
The Occupational Information Network (O * NET) is a database compiled
by the U.S. Department of Labor to provide basic occupational data. Its
framework is organized around six sets of descriptors: worker requirements,
experience requirements, worker characteristics, occupational require-
ments, occupation - specifi c requirements, and occupation characteristics.
The information is available online ( http://www.onetcenter.org/overview
.html ) and can be used to develop job descriptions, job specifi cations, and
career opportunity information.Contextual Performance
Contextual performance refers to aspects of performance unrelated to spe-
cifi c tasks. These include activities directed at enhancing the interpersonal
and psychological environment that facilitates task completion. Borman and
Motowidlo (1993) note that contextual activities are different from tasks or
job performance. Whereas task activities contribute directly to the technical
or core of an agency ’ s or department ’ s production of goods and services,
contextual activities contribute to the social environment. Task activities
may differ across jobs, and contextual activities are common to many, if
not all, jobs. Task activities are also associated with skills or abilities, while
contextual activities are associated with motivational or personality vari-
ables. Some examples of contextual behaviors are coming to work on time,
working overtime on short notice when unexpected problems arise, help-
ing others when needed, minimizing or solving confl icts within the work
group, and training or mentoring newcomers (Guion & Highhouse, 2006).
In an attempt to identify behaviors associated with contextual performance,
researchers have developed personality - based job analysis instruments.Personality - Based Job Analysis
Raymark, Schmidt, and Guion (1997) developed an instrument based on
twelve personality dimensions: general leadership, interest in negotiation,
achievement striving, friendly disposition, sensitivity to others, collaborative
work tendency, general trustworthiness, adherence to work ethic, attention
to details, desire to generate ideas, tendency to think things through, and
emotional stability. Other instruments used to identify personality measures
are the Self - Descriptive Index (Guion, Highhouse, Reeve, & Zickar, 2005),