SECTION 2WORK

Understanding the Purpose & Nature of Work

GCSE ECONOMICS: UNIT 11

Part Two

SECTION 2WORK

Aims of today’s lesson …

• Understand what is meant by specialisation and interdependence

• Analyse the benefits and drawbacks of specialisation

• Evaluate the impact of ICT on work

SECTION 2WORK

What is meant by Specialisation?

• Also known as ‘division of labour’

• Workers are employed on a specific aspect of work e.g. installing the steering wheel in a car manufacturer

• Workers then become interdependent (depending on each other to complete the production process)

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The benefits of Specialisation

• Workers become more skilled

• More output produced as workers do their task quicker through practice

• Goods are produced cheaper as more can be made in the same amount of time

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The drawbacks of Specialisation

• Workers become interdependent so if one is ill, they cannot complete

• Jobs become boring if doing the same thing all the time

• Morale/motivation falls so labour turnover and absenteeism increases

• Workers are not as flexible to try new things

SECTION 2WORK

Over to you...

• Open and compete the document called...

“Specialisation”

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Information Communication Technology & Work

• Improvements in technology, especially in ICT have had a huge impact on those who work

• The invention and increasing use of the internet for example has affected the way in which businesses operate

• Businesses no longer need to have a physical shop on the high street to sell their goods and services, where they employ shop assistants to serve their customers

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Information Communication Technology & Work

• Schools continue to embrace the improvements in technology, making lessons more interactive and keeping parents more informed on their child’s progress

• Create a one page poster on how technology has changed education and schools such as The King’s Academy

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Changes in the way we work...

• The way in which people work is changing

• With improvements in technology, a 24-hour business culture and global operations, employers require a more flexible workforce

• Employees are also looking for employment and hours which suit their own personal lifestyle and outside responsibilities

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Changes in the way we work...

• In recent years Lloyds TSB has looked to create a more flexible workforce in order to give it a competitive edge in the market

• Read the case study on Lloyds TSB and answer the questions in the document called ‘Changing work patterns’

SECTION 2WORK

Extension Task...

• Complete Activities 5 and 6 by accessing the document called...

“Textbook”