Specialisation and
division of labour
By Mrs Hilton
Learning Objectives
• Candidates should understand how
specialisation and division of labour can
impact on efficiency.
Video on production efficiency
Recap - Flow production
• Large amounts can be
made
• Costs of production are
low as large scale
economies of scale
• Machinery used helps to
keep costs low
• Computer controlled
machines can easily make
a variety of designs
• ONLY useful for large
scale production
Activity
1. You have a sheet cut
out all the sentences
2. Stick them in the
correct box advantage
or disadvantage
Flow production - answers
Advantages
• You can use a low skilled
workforce – save on wages
• Low skill means training needs
are less
• More efficient method of
production than job / batch
• Cost per item lower than job /
batch
Disadvantages
• Work can become repetitive
and boring
• Big set up costs – may need
to invest in machinery
• Heavy fixed costs of running
this type of production
Specialisation
• Flow production means
that many processes
that require labour
(people to do it) can be
broken down into
smaller repetitive tasks.
• Quick to train workers
• Workers become very
efficient at their job
• Watch the video – what
two specialised jobs can
you see?
Downside of specialisation?
• Boring work
• Demotivating
• Repetitive
• What do you
see in the
images?
Specialisation
• What impact does
specialisation have on
efficiency (Part of
Learning objective met
if you can answer this)?
• Allows staff to become
highly skilled
• Reduced training times
means more efficient
production
Division of labour
• Key term alert!
• This is the organisation
of labour into a number
of specialised simple
processes
Worker repeats the same job every day
Work becomes dull and monotonous
Worker loses interest
• Repetition of the task
means practice makes
perfect
Decline in productivity
Past paper question
In the exam its 60
Marks in 60 mins
So you have 6 mins to
complete
This question
Timer
http://www.onlinestopwatch.com/bombcountdown/full-screen/
How to get 6 /6
Flow production – cut out these sentences and stick them on
the advantages and disadvantages sheet
•
Owners can employ a low skilled
workforce – save on wages
•
Work can become repetitive and
boring for the workers
•
Low skill jobs means training needs
are less, meaning a cost saving
•
Big set up costs – may need to
invest in machinery
•
More efficient method of
production than job / batch
•
Heavy fixed costs of running this
type of production
•
Cost per item lower than job /
batch
Flow production
Advantages
Disadvantages
Learning Objectives
• Candidates should understand how
specialisation and division of labour can
impact on efficiency.
• Success criteria
• If you answered the question and completed
the activity then you have met the learning
objectives