Understanding the Purpose & Nature of Work

1. GCSE ECONOMICS: UNIT 11 Understanding the Purpose & Nature of Work Part Two

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. Over to you... • Open and compete the document called... “Specialisation”

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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’

11. Extension Task... • Complete Activities 5 and 6 by accessing the document called... “Textbook”