Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Division of Labour




Introduction

Though there are several definitions given, Division of Labour is Separation of a work process into a number of tasks, with each task performed by separate person (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2017). This strategy emerged with the industrialization and more quality output was expected in a short span of time with minimum cost. French scholar Émile Durkheim used the term Division of Labour initially.

Though it is generally considered to be disadvantages, Division of Labour has many benefits.

  • ü  Eliminates unnecessary Motion and handling different tools
  • ü  Less time spent for production
  • ü  Enables low skilled employment
  • ü  Replacements are very easy
  • ü  Supervision becomes much easier
  • ü  Required when working with machines
  • ü  Employee becomes specialized in the task he performs

One of the main concerns of Division of Labour is that a certain employee who is assign to a task would not be exposed to different job tasks. As a result, his/her future job opportunities become very narrow. In order to overcome this main negativity, organizations can switch their employees on the tasks assigned to them. Though there will be a minimal effect on the productivity, this will be a good Employee benefit.

However, this does not remain a disadvantage in high profile employment such as, Doctor, Teacher, engineer etc. instead it is benefit to be specialized in one area and that gives the additional value for the employee.

In the Small and Mid-size Enterprise (SME) it is important to identify the requirement of the division of labour. It is either all the tasks are handled by one person or multiple tasks are handled by one person. This in return reduces the productivity and as a result disables to deliver on time or deliver the quality product.

Conclusion

Division of Labour emerged with the industrial revolution, has many benefits and few shortcomings. If the shortcomings are addressed properly and implemented effectively it is a very good way of producing quality product and service in a very short time. The SME’s should adopt to the division of labour in order to increase productivity.

References


Encyclopedia Britannica, 2017. Britannica. [Online]
Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/division-of-labour
[Accessed 09 12 2020].

 

4 comments:

  1. In our business industry , Businesses should use divisions of labour only if it makes sense for their production process. For example a business that assembles products with very few parts may not benefit from divisions of labour. Businesses must also place employees with certain experience in positions that require that experience. Skilled scaffolders shouldn't build engines at a car plant.

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  2. Many people agree that the division of labor is largely unavoidable because not all people can do all the work at once. As labor has become specialized not only nationally but also globally, the division of labor has often become a more equitable, ideal and efficient thing.

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  3. There are advantages as well as disadvantages of division of labor. Employee get specialized in one single task whereas the same person will be lack of multi skilling. Therefore, the same employee will get a negative impact when he loses the current job since he is a single tasking person.

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  4. Labor division can be seen in many organizations. This will enhance a particular skill set of an employee & will enhance the productivity. This could be a concern in long run where we can not replace a person in the absence of the same employer.

    ReplyDelete