A Level Economics AQA Practice Exam

What is meant by 'division of labour'?

1. The process of teamwork in production

2. Breaking down a production process into smaller, specialized tasks

3. Assigning all tasks to a single worker for efficiency

4. Collaborating across departments to enhance productivity

The correct answer is: Breaking down a production process into smaller, specialized tasks

Division of labour refers to breaking down a production process into smaller, specialized tasks. This concept is rooted in the idea that when workers focus on specific tasks rather than handling all aspects of production, they can become more efficient and skilled in their particular area. By specializing, workers can produce goods more quickly and with greater proficiency, leading to overall gains in productivity. Additionally, this approach can result in time savings, as workers do not need to shift between different tasks, which can often lead to inefficiencies. The division of labour is a foundational principle in economics and is particularly significant in manufacturing and large-scale production, where the complexity of tasks can be divided among multiple workers. While teamwork and collaboration across departments can enhance productivity, these concepts do not specifically capture the essence of dividing tasks into specialized roles, which is the core idea behind division of labour. Therefore, the correct understanding centers on specialization and the efficiency gains it brings to the production process.