Labor division
Labor division is the specialization of tasks and roles in the labor economy. It is where the performance of specific tasks and roles are divided among the workers depending to their ability and skills. Therefore, labor division is the separation of the work process into the various numbers of tasks. These specified tasks are assigned to a group of workers an individual. The system of division of labor is applied in mass production. Complex tasks that are to be performed are broken down into simple tasks that eliminate unnecessary motion and handling of different tools.
Intensive specialization is found in countries that are industrialized where complex tasks are broken down. It is applied extensively in any fields that are associated with machine technology. The refinement and simplification of work is accepted so that each worker produces only a small portion of the commodity. Division of labor is categorized into several forms. Categorically, the forms are based on the social aspects, technicality and territory. In the social form, division of labor is based on the occupation of the worker, such as a teacher. In the technical form labor division is subjected to a particular enterprise. Finally, the territorial labor division is a consideration of the location of the industry. If it’s a production site, the workers in that site are specialized in production only.
Advantages of labor division
In labor division, each person gets to work in their area of specialization. This leads to a scenario of the right man to the right place. The organization produces some high quality work, and it is done perfectly. In this case, the worker enjoys the work since it is in his field of training and he applies the skills he acquired in training. The other advantage is that the worker in a specific area becomes an expert. This is due to repetition of the tasks. Practicing of the same tasks makes him perfect that even work to done, and its application becomes easy in that field.
In addition, minimal training is required in equipping the workers. The workers are trained in their area of task specialization. Therefore, the cost of training at work is low. The only important issue is for the worker to gain the skills of the task assigned. Invention also prevails in the labor division. In the process of undertaking the task dairy, new ideas arises on how to perform a task easily. Through continuous working in the same area, one gets the idea to simplify the task leading to an invention. The available tools are used economically. The purchase of the tools depends on their importance to work to be done. Then they are in the specified field hence they are utilized economically.
Disadvantages of labor division
Labor division contributes to the monotony in the work. Performing the same task each day becomes joyless and monotonous. This kills the quality of the work. The other point is that it kills creativity for workers in production. This is due to limitation of full involvement in the production process. In addition, there is loss of responsibility in case of poor production. All persons involved in the process points fingers to one another. No one accepts responsibility for the act. Therefore, the management has difficulties in identifying specific areas for improvement. In conclusion, despite the few limitation of the division of labor, it is widely accepted as the way to go in the world of globalization. It is doing well, and it is accepted in mass production for economic reasons.
