Division of labour- Meaning, Definition, Forms, Merits and Demerits

# Meaning of Division of Labour

Emile Durkheim was the first to propound the theory that division of labour in his book ‘Division of Labour in Society’. The Division of Labor in Society, Durkheim discusses how the division of labor is beneficial for society because it increases the productive capacity, the skill of the workman, and it creates a feeling of solidarity between people.

Durkheim demonstrated his method of analysis to explain the evolution of society from the primitive to the modern. He classified a society by the nature of social solidarity which existed in that society. He argued that while a primitive society was organised according to Mechanical solidarity and modern society was based on Organic solidarity.

Every society, primitive and modern has the institution of division of labour. The division of labour is a system of distribution of work among the people according to their skill and competence. When the manufacturing process of an article is spilt up into several processes and each process is entrusted to a separate set of workers, it is called division of labour.

# Definition of Division of Labour

1. According to Hanson:- “Division of labour means specialization of process.”

2. According to Sir Sydney Chapman:- The specialization of works is called division of labour.”

# Forms of Division of Labour

1. Occupational division of labour:- This is the simplest and oldest form of division of labour in which an individual or a group of individual does a particular job and the other one does another job. In Indian society, the division of the society into various classes such as cobblers, washer men, sweepers, etc. is nothing but occupational division of labour. As a result of this type of division of labour, the society is divided into various groups and these groups are known as castes or some other name. These groups have further sub-division based on requirements of the occupation.

2. Territorial division of labour:- This type of division is based on geographical conditions. Geographical conditions of a particular place are favorable and congenial for a particular profession and so people of that region or area are specialized in that job. Because of geographical conditions, people of various geographical regions take to various jobs. For example, people of Lanchshire are specialists in weaving of textiles. Similarly, people of different geographical regions of India are good at different jobs. This type of division of labor is known as Territorial division of labor. It is also known as geographical division of labor.

3. Division of labour into complete process:- As a result of the development of society need was felt to have production of various things on a mass scale. The whole process of production in the interest of efficiency of quickness was divided into various groups. This was all done when complicated machines like that of today had not come into operation. For example, in the production of textile goods certain persons were entrusted with waving while others were given the responsibility to prepare the thread and so on. Everybody completed only the one part of the entire process.

4. Division of labour into incomplete process:- This is a gift of the scientific inventions. As the mass scale production gained momentum, one unit of work was divided into various units. This was done in order to bring about greater perfections. Since one unit of production or one work was divided into several jobs or sub units it came to be known as incomplete process of the division of labor. In the modern society, division of labor is a common feature of the production.

# Merits of Division of Labour

1. Increase in production:- With the adoption of division of labour, the total production increases. It results in large production of goods.

2. Increase in efficiency of labour:- With division of labour, a worker has to do the same work again, and he gets specialization in it. In this way, the division of labour leads to a great increase in efficiency.

3. Increase in Skill:- Division of labour contributes to the development of skill, because with the repetition of the same work, he becomes specialised in it. This specialization enables him to do the work in the best possible way, which improves his skill.

4. Increase in Use of Machines:- The division of labour is the result of the large-scale production, which implies more use of machines. On the other hand, the division of labour increases the possibility of the use of machines in the small-scale production also. Therefore, in modern times the use of machines is increasing continuously due to the increase in the division of labour.

5. Increase in Employment Opportunities:- Division of labour leads to the diversity of occupations which further leads to the employment opportunities. On the other hand, the scale of production being large, the number of employment opportunities also increases.

6. Work for disable:- Division of labour splits up the production work in small processes and different persons can work at different places with the help of machines. Certain machines can be operated with the help of hands only and others with the help of foot as well. Therefore, the disabled persons can also find work according to their suitability.

7. Saving of time:- There is no need for the worker to shift from one process to another. He is employed in a definite process with certain tools. He, therefore, goes on working without loss of time, sitting at one place. Continuity in work also saves time and helps in more production at less cost.

8. Cheap goods:- Division of labour helps in mass production. Thus production becomes less expensive and more economical. Therefore, cheaper goods are turned out, which improve the standard of living of the people.

9. Work according to taste:- Workers have their own taste in production. For example, a person can take up that type of job for which he considers himself to be the most suitable and which is in accordance with his taste. Division of labour extends the work to such an extent that every person can find work according to his taste and interest.

10. Spirit of co-operation of workers:- Division of labour gives chances of working under the same roof and with the cooperation of each other. It further gives rise to the feeling of cooperation and trade unionism in their daily lives. The work cannot be completed unless they cooperate with each other. They help each other at the time of adversities as well.

# Demerits of Division of Labour

1. Monotony:- Under division of labour, a worker has to do the same job time and again for years together. Therefore, after some time, the worker feels bored or the work becomes irksome and monotonous. There remains no happiness or pleasure in the job for him. It has an adverse effect on the production.

2. Loss of responsibility:- Many workers join hands to produce a commodity. If the production is not good and adequate, none can be held responsible for it. It is generally said that ‘every man’s responsibility is no man’s responsibility.’ Therefore, the division of labour has the disadvantage of loss of responsibility.

3. Loss of mental development:- When the labourer is made to work only on a part of the work, he does not possess complete knowledge of the work. Thus, division of labour proves to be a hurdle in the way of mental development.

4. Loss of efficiency:- Division of labour is sometimes accounted for the loss of efficiency. For instance, if a cobbler goes on cutting the leather for a long time, he may lose the efficiency of making shoes.

5. Increased dependence:- When the production is split up into a number of processes and each part is performed by different workers, it may lead to over-dependence. For instance, in the case of a readymade garments factory, if the man cutting cloth is lazy, the work of stitching, buttoning, etc. will suffer.

6. Increased dependence on machine:- As division of labour increases, there will be an increased use of machines. Almost all the workers work on different types of machines. It is difficult for them to work without machines. Thus, division of labour increases the dependence on machines.

7. Loss of joy:- In the absence of division of labour, he feels a lot of pleasure on the successful completion of his goods. But under division of labour, nobody can claim the credit of making it. The work gives him neither pride nor pleasure. Therefore, there is total loss of joy, happiness and interest in the work.

8. Reduction in mobility of labour:- The mobility of labour is reduced on account of division of labour. The worker performs only a part of the whole task. He is trained to do that much part only. So, it may not be easy for him to trace out exactly the same job somewhere else, if he wants to change the place. In this way, the mobility of labour gets retarded.

9. Danger of unemployment:- The danger of unemployment is another disadvantage of division of labour. When the worker produces a small part of goods, he gets specialised in it and he does not have complete knowledge of the production of goods. For instance, a man is expert in buttoning the clothes. If he is dismissed from the factory, it is difficult for him to find the job of buttoning. Thus division of labour has a fear of unemployment.

10. Evils of factory system:- The modern industrial or factory system has been developed as a result of the division of labour. This system further gives rise to the evils like dense population, pollution, bad habits of gambling and drinking, low standard of living, poor food, clothes and housing, etc.

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