Describes an evolutionary model of organizational change through the selective retention of jobs. Idiosyncratic jobs, those created around particular people, serve as a mechanism for change. Discusses organizational processes for adaptation. (83 references) (MLF)

From a sample of 368 work organizations, organizational characteristics are explored that favor proliferation of detailed job titles to describe work roles. Proliferation is linked to administrative imperatives, internal labor task struggles, and institutional environmental influence on personnel practices. Titles' fragmentation imposes status…