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Vices and virtues of specialized work
[Vices et vertus du travail spécialisé]

Author

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  • Jean-Louis Peaucelle

    (UR - Université de La Réunion)

Abstract

The specialized work, named since Adam Smith "division of labor", offers advantages and disadvantages. Adam Smith focused on productivity. Now, it seems that mechanization is the most important, which increases productivity and, to make the most of expensive machines, specializes one or more operators. Moreover, specialized tasks are quicker to learn. This work organization makes it possible to quickly integrate an untrained workforce into production. In addition, Charles Babbage has shown that, in a process with a specialization, wage differentials lower the cost price. If productivity is measured not by cadence but by useful output, it is necessary to take into account the time-outs associated with workload imbalances between workstations, planning failures or the incidence of work arrivals. All these factors make efficient operators versatile.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Louis Peaucelle, 2009. "Vices and virtues of specialized work [Vices et vertus du travail spécialisé]," Post-Print hal-01403887, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01403887
    DOI: 10.3917/geco.097.0028
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01403887
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