1. Division of Labour

2. Definition
Division of labour (or specialisation) takes place when a worker specialises in producing a good or a part of a good.

3. Types of division of labour
Simple division of labour
A person specialises in producing a particular product or service.

4. Examples
Mechanic
Doctor
Cashier
Farmer

5. Types of division of labour
Simple division of labour
Complex division of labour
A person specialises in a sub-process of the production of a good.

6. Example: Building a house
Designing

7. Example: Building a house
Designing
Monitoring

8. Example: Building a house
Designing
Monitoring
Transporting

9. Example: Building a house
Designing
Monitoring
Transporting
Constructing

10. Example: Building a house
Designing
Decorating
Monitoring
Transporting
Constructing

11. Example: Building a house
Designing
Monitoring
Transporting
Constructing
Decorating

12. Types of division of labour
Simple division of labour
Complex division of labour
Regional or international division of labour:
Different countries or regions specialise in the production of different products according to the resources that they have.

13. U.S.A. specialises in the production of computers.
Examples
U.S.A. specialises in the production of computers.

14. Japan specialises in the production of hi-tech products.
Examples
Japan specialises in the production of hi-tech products.

15. Malaysia specialises in the production of rubber.
Examples
Malaysia specialises in the production of rubber.

16. Brazil specialises in the production of coffee.
Examples
Brazil specialises in the production of coffee.

17. Advantages of division of labour
Raising labour productivity
more output is produced from the same quantity of labour
the same output is produced with less labour

18. Advantages of division of labour
Raising labour productivity
How can division of labour raise productivity?
choosing the most suitable person for the job
practice makes perfect
saving time in training
saving time in moving around operation
making full use of capital goods
mechanisation

19. Advantages of division of labour
Saving resources from the production of capital goods
With division of labour, workers need not be equipped with the whole set of capital tools.

20. Advantages of division of labour
Example: Without division of labour
Each worker has to be equipped with the whole set of capital tools.

21. Advantages of division of labour
Example: With division of labour
Each worker only needs one piece of capital tool .

22. Advantages of division of labour
Raising living standards
Division of labour enables a larger volume and a wider choice of goods and services to be produced.

23. Disadvantages of division of labour
Work becomes dull and monotonous
Workers’ productivity may drop.

24. Disadvantages of division of labour
Greater degree of interdependence
Disruption in one production stage results in stoppage of work in other production stages.

25. Disadvantages of division of labour
Greater risk of unemployment
It is often difficult for a worker trained in one job to change over to another job.

26. Disadvantages of division of labour
Decline in the quality of craftsmanship

27. Disadvantages of division of labour
Decline in the quality of craftsmanship
With division of labour, mass production methods are commonly used in modern factories.
Fewer people will specialise in the production of hand-made goods. The overall quality of craftsmanship will fall.

28. Disadvantages of division of labour
Excessive standardization of products

29. Disadvantages of division of labour
Excessive standardization of products
With specialisation and mechanization, products are highly standardized. They may not suit the tastes for all customers.

30. Limits of the extent of division of labour
1. Size of the market
When the market size is small, division of labour can be practiced only to a limited extent.

31. Limits of the extent of division of labour
2. Nature of the good
The scope for division of labour is limited for production that requires highly specialised skills.

32. Curriculum Development Institute
Humanities Unit
Curriculum Development Institute