Productivity and division of labour
| English | 中文 | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| division of labour/dɪˈvɪʒn ɒv ˈleɪbə/ | 劳动分工 | láo dòng fēn gōng |
| human capital/ˈhjuːmən ˈkæpɪtl/ | 人力资本 | rén lì zī běn |
A decision you can investigate
- A workshop reorganizes cutting, assembly and packing. The same team produces more items in the same working time.
- More output can come from using inputs better, rather than adding more workers.
Build the explanation
- Productivity is output per unit of input. Output per worker or per worker-hour must use a consistent period. Land improvements include irrigation, drainage, reclamation or fertilizer; labour quality can improve through training and education; capital quantity and technology can improve productive methods.
- Division of labour 劳动分工 gives workers specialized tasks. Practice, less switching and suitable tools can raise efficiency. Repetition, dependence on other tasks and narrow skills can reduce motivation or flexibility.
Work through the evidence
- Initially 5 workers make 100 items in 4 hours. Worker-hours = workers × hours = 5 × 4 = 20; productivity = output
- worker-hours = 100/20 = 5 items per worker-hour.
- After training they make 140 items in the same 20 worker-hours: productivity = 140/20 = 7. Output and productivity rise, but output quality and additional training costs still need checking.
What is productivity after training?
There are 20 worker-hours, so 140/20 = 7.
Test the limits
- Adding workers can raise output without raising output per worker. Migration can expand the workforce and bring skills, but its productivity effects depend on matching and conditions.
- Specialization may suit repeated production better than a small workshop making varied one-off products. Judge both worker outcomes and firm efficiency.
Which change does not by itself establish higher productivity?
Output alone must be compared with the input used.
Training is a human-capital investment even if its productive effect takes time.
Skills can improve productive ability; outcomes still depend on the training and its use.
Apply and explain your answer
- What establishes higher labour productivity in the training case?
- More output is produced per unchanged worker-hour input.
Which is a possible worker disadvantage of specialization?
Repetition and limited transferable tasks can reduce motivation and flexibility.
Use the terms precisely
- human capital 人力资本: Skills, knowledge and capabilities contributing to productive work.
- division of labour: Splitting production into tasks performed by specialist workers.
Match the terms to their meanings.
Each term describes a specific mechanism in this lesson.
Initially 5 workers make 100 items in 4 hours. Worker-hours = workers × hours = 5 × 4 = 20; productivity = output worker-hours = 100/20 = 5 items per worker-hour. After training they make 140 items in the same 20 worker-hours: productivity = 140/20 = 7. Output and productivity rise, but output quality and additional training costs still need checking.
Adding workers can raise output without raising output per worker. Migration can expand the workforce and bring skills, but its productivity effects depend on matching and conditions. Specialization may suit repeated production better than a small workshop making varied one-off products. Judge both worker outcomes and firm efficiency.
Productivity is output per unit of input. Output per worker or per worker-hour must use a consistent period. Land improvements include irrigation, drainage, reclamation or fertilizer; labour quality can improve through training and education; capital quantity and technology can improve productive methods.