Productivity And Division Of Labour
Overview
Two farms of exactly the same size can produce very different harvests, and two factories with the same number of workers can turn out very different quantities of output. The difference often comes down to productivity: how efficiently land, labour and capital are being used, not simply how much of each is available.
In this lesson you will define productivity, examine how it can be raised through better use of land, labour and capital, and study the division of labour, the practice of breaking production into specialised tasks. You will weigh up the advantages and drawbacks of this specialisation for both workers and the businesses that employ them.
Objectives
- Definition of productivity
- Factors affecting productivity: land (use of fertiliser, drainage, irrigation, reclamation), labour (quality of labour, including improved human capital through education and training and impact of migration), capital (increased quantity and technological advances)
- Definition of division of labour
- Advantages and disadvantages of the division of labour to workers and businesses
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Productivity And Division Of Labour. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Labour productivity is calculated as: A) Total output multiplied by the number of workers B) Total output divided by the number of workers C) Number of workers divided by total output D) Total revenue divided by total output Answer: B
- A factory employs 20 workers who produce 1,600 units in a week. What is its labour productivity? A) 8 units per worker B) 80 units per worker C) 32,000 units per worker D) 1,600 units per worker Answer: B
- Which of the following is most likely to raise the productivity of land? A) Staff training B) Irrigation C) A new payment bonus scheme D) A new factory robot Answer: B
- Division of labour refers to: A) Sharing profits equally among workers B) Breaking production into separate tasks, with each worker specialising in one part C) Dividing a business into different departments by location D) Reducing the total number of workers employed Answer: B
- Which of the following is most likely to be a disadvantage of division of labour for workers? A) Higher pay for a valued skill B) Reduced stress from a narrower task C) Work becoming repetitive and monotonous D) Faster completion of tasks Answer: C
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Recommended Books
Further learning from open sources
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Textbook section
Labor Productivity and Economic Growth
Identify the role of labor productivity in promoting economic growth
"Principles of Economics 2e: Labor Productivity and Economic Growth" by OpenStax, OpenStax, Rice University, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: https://openstax.org/books/principles-economics-2e/pages/20-2-labor-productivity-and-economic-growth. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/principles-economics-2e/pages/1-introduction
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Textbook section
What Is Economics, and Why Is It Important?
Discuss the importance of studying economics
"Principles of Economics 2e: What Is Economics, and Why Is It Important?" by OpenStax, OpenStax, Rice University, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: https://openstax.org/books/principles-economics-2e/pages/1-1-what-is-economics-and-why-is-it-important. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/principles-economics-2e/pages/1-introduction
Published by other organisations under open licences, credited as they ask. Links open their websites.
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