Division of Labour

Question 1

What is the division of labour?

Answer 1

Form of specialisation- individual production concentration- broken into series of tasks

Question 2

What are the advantages of the division of labour?

Answer 2

1) Increases productivity (output per unit employed) & reduces cost per unit of output (increases efficiency)
2) Increases living standards
3) Capital equipment can be used continuously in production- also 👎- see below ⬇️
4) No ⏰ wasted moving- one job to another
5) Less ⏰ required- training workers for specific tasks
6) More choice of jobs for workers- specialise in tasks most suited

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of the division of labour?

Answer 3

1) Boredom 💤 – monotonous, repetitive tasks- staff may leave- ⬆️ recruitment & selection 💰
2) Breaking production ⬇️- different tasks- allows easier replacement of skilled workers with machines- increased structural unemployment
3) Creates interdependence- one group of workers strike may halt production (⬆️ reliance)