5 Questions
What book did Adam Smith publish in 1776?
The Wealth of Nations
What did Adam Smith advocate for in his book?
The division of labor (job specialization)
What is the purpose of breaking down jobs into many tiny components?
To increase the productivity of workers
According to Adam Smith, how many pins could 10 individuals produce per day with job specialization?
About 48,000 pins
What are some examples of specialized tasks performed by teams or workers?
Members of a hospital surgery team, workers in restaurant kitchens, players on a football team
Study Notes
Significant Events in Management History
- Adam Smith published "The Wealth of Nations" in 1776.
- Smith advocated for the division of labor and job specialization.
- Division of labor involves breaking down jobs into smaller components.
- Each individual is assigned only one part of the work based on their specialization.
- Smith used the example of the pin industry to illustrate the benefits of division of labor.
- He claimed that 10 individuals doing specialized tasks could produce about 48,000 pins per day.
- If each worker performed all tasks separately, they could only produce 10 pins per day.
- Smith concluded that division of labor increases productivity, labor skills, and saves time.
- Examples of specialized tasks include those performed by members of a hospital surgery team.
- Another example is the meal preparation tasks done by workers in restaurant kitchens.
- Division of labor can also be seen in the positions played by players on a football team.
- Smith's ideas on division of labor have had a significant impact on management history.
Test your knowledge on two significant events in management history, including the publication of Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" in 1776 and the advocacy for job specialization and division of labor.
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