INTRODUCTION
The division of labor increases production and makes it more efficient by dividing the separate tasks of making an object among different individuals and thereby simplifying the job each person must perform.
Source
The division of labor splits the various processes of production into minute tasks, many of which can be performed by mechanical devices. It is this fact that made the use of machinery possible and brought about the amazing improvements in technical methods of production.
Division of labour is an economic concept which states that dividing the production process into different stages enables workers to focus on specific tasks.
PRODUCTION
Production is a process of combining various material inputs and immaterial inputs in order to make something for consumption (output). It is the act of creating an output, a good or service which has value and contributes to the utility of individuals.
DIVISION OF LABOUR
Division of labour is an economic concept which states that dividing the production process into different stages enables workers to focus on specific tasks. If workers can concentrate on one small aspect of production, this increases overall efficiency so long as there are sufficient volume and quantity produced.
ADVANTAGES OF DIVISION OF LABOUR
Time Saving
Under division of labour, a worker performs a part of the whole process and therefore he needs to learn only that much. Long periods of training are, therefore, rendered unnecessary. This saves great time and money. Further as the worker remains employed on the same process, he does not waste his time in moving from one process to another. He, therefore, goes on working without loss of time. This further result in saving in time.
It’s Economical
A worker is not provided with a complete set of tools required for the whole process. He is provided with only those tools which are required by him for the performance of that part of the process which is allotted to him. Thus, one set of tools can be made use of by many workers. This is a great economic gain.
Encouraged the use of Machinery
By breaking up the production of a commodity into small and simple operations, division of labour encourages the use of machinery and its introduction. These simple operations easily can be carried out by suitable machines. Machines can be economically used only when they are fully used, that is, when their productive capacity is fully utilized. Division of labour involves production on a large scale and therefore permits the economical use of machinery.
Increase in Productivity
The greatest advantage of division of labour is that it increases immensely the productivity per worker.
Cheaper Goods
In division of labour the economies of large scale are reaped. The cost per unit tends to fall down when the commodity is produced on a large scale which ensures the production of cheaper goods.
Source
Lastly division of labour is helpful even in the family, children sharing the work at home and cooking even within husband and wife e.g when the wife is preparing stew and soup and yam is on fire for pounding the husband been at home take up the pounding while the wife do the cooking of the soup and stew.
For every advantage and good side of a thing there is also bad side of it, as good and helpful as division of labour to production it also has it bad side which just two(2) will be mention in the course of this post which includes;
If workers are highly specialised, then the job can become very boring and repetitive. This can lead to low labour morale.
If workers lose the motivation to concentrate and do a good job, mistakes may creep in as they get bored.
EXAMPLES OF DIVISION OF LABOUR
Food production
A very basic example of division of labour could be seen in food gathering. In the olden day’s societies, men would be the hunters, women and children would prepare the food and collect berries. The idea was that it was a very simple division of labour to enable the best use of different skill sets. Nowadays, there is an even greater division of labour in food production. Farmers will buy seeds, fertilisers and tractors from different companies. They will just concentrate on one aspect of food production. The tools and food processing is handled by different workers and a different stage in the production cycle.
Apple products
Apple product is designed in California, produced in China. A new iPhone has innumerable examples of division of labour. The process is split up into many different parts. Design, hardware, software, manufacture, marketing, production and assembly.
Conclusion
Division of labour is very effective and helpful when we talk about production, if any business, organization or company want to increase production outside increase the number of employee is that they involve in division of labour. The fact is clear that in 21st century the use of machine as help in increasing production level which bores down to technology and also has made advertisement, selling i.e Distribution, Communication with customer and even in the organization very much simply and easier.
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