Productivity and division of labor Flashcards

1
Q

What is ‘productivity’?

A

The rate at which goods are produced, and the amount produced in relation to the work, time, and money needed to produce them.

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2
Q

What’s a ‘piece rate’?

A

The amount of money that is paid for each item a worker produces, rather than for the time taken to make it

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3
Q

What is ‘division of labor’?

A

The breaking down of the production process into small parts with each worker allocated to a specific task

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4
Q

What is ‘specialization’?

A

The production of a limited range of goods by individuals, firms, regions of countries

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5
Q

How can improved motivation contribute to higher productivity in a business? Provide two examples.

A

Improved motivation, such as through financial incentives or job rotation, can lead to higher productivity as motivated workers are likely to be more engaged and efficient in their work

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6
Q

What are some advantages of the division of labor for businesses?

A
  • improved efficiency
  • reduced production time
  • easier organization of production
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7
Q

What are some advantages of the division of labor for workers?

A
  • becoming more skilled
  • enjoying more job satisfaction
  • potentially earning more income.
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8
Q

How can migration contribute to improved productivity?

A

Skilled immigrants can contribute to improved productivity in an economy by bringing their skills and expertise to the labor market.

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9
Q

What is job rotation, and how can it improve motivation?

A

Job rotation involves an employee changing tasks from time to time, which can make work more interesting and less boring, improving motivation.

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10
Q

How can training improve productivity?

A

Training improves the quality of human capital, allowing employees to acquire new skills and perform better at their jobs.

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11
Q

What are some factors that can affect land productivity?

A

Factors affecting land productivity include the use of fertilizers, pesticides, drainage, irrigation, reclamation, and genetically modified crops.

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12
Q

How can productivity be calculated for labor?

A

Productivity = output/input

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13
Q

Why is raising productivity desirable?

A

Raising productivity allows more goods and services to be produced with the same or fewer resources

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14
Q

How is becoming more skilled at a task for workers an advantage?

A
  • Constant repetition of the same task will usually mean a worker will get better and better
  • workers with well-practiced skills will be able to find employment more easily.
  • The more highly skilled they are, the more they are likely to get paid
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15
Q

How can specialization be a disadvantage for workers?

A
  • work can become boring as it is repetitive.
  • This is most likely to occur if a particular task requires little skill.
  • Boredom may lead to job dissatisfaction and affect motivation.
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16
Q

How is improved efficiency an advantage for businesses?

A
  • Workers can perform tasks more quickly and accurately, leading to fewer mistakes and increasing productivity.
17
Q

How can reduced production time be an advantage for businesses?

A
  • Workers do not need to waste time moving from one task to another.
  • This involves moving around the workspace collecting tools, changing workstations, and resetting machinery.
  • Specialists are likely to remain at the same workstation repeating their task without moving around.
18
Q

How can repetitive and boring tasks become a disadvantage for businesses?

A
  • Workers become dissatisfied and poorly motivated resulting in poor-quality work, staff arriving at work late, increased rates of absence, and high staff turnover.
  • There may be some workers detached and try to avoid work which will reduce productivity and have an impact on profitability.
19
Q

How can loss of flexibility be a disadvantage for businesses?

A
  • If a highly skilled and specialist worker is absent, and there is no one else to replace with those skills, production may be disrupted.