division of labor
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division of labor
The division of a work process into several subtasks that are carried out by different people, groups, or machines in order to increase efficiency.
Die moderne Industrieproduktion basiert auf einer hochentwickelten Arbeitsteilung.
Modern industrial production is based on a highly developed division of labor.
The word is made up of 'die Arbeit' (work) and 'die Teilung' (division). 'Teilung' comes from the verb 'teilen' (to divide/share). So the meaning is literally 'the division of work.'
Eine gute Arbeitsteilung kann die Produktivität erhöhen.
A good division of labor can increase productivity.
The context makes the meaning clear: In an economic or sociological context, it refers to the division of production processes. In a private setting, it describes the division of household tasks.
Die internationale Arbeitsteilung hat die Weltwirtschaft verändert.
The international division of labor has changed the global economy.
In an economic context, the word is often combined with adjectives such as 'internationale' (international), 'gesellschaftliche' (social), or 'betriebliche' (in-company/operational) Arbeitsteilung.
Adam Smith beschrieb die Vorteile der betrieblichen Arbeitsteilung.
Adam Smith described the advantages of the in-company division of labor.
In a private context, people often speak of a 'faire' (fair), 'klare' (clear), or 'ungerechte' (unfair) Arbeitsteilung. Typical verbs are 'eine Arbeitsteilung haben' (to have a division of tasks), 'festlegen' (to establish), or 'vereinbaren' (to agree on).
In unserer Familie gibt es eine klare Arbeitsteilung beim Kochen und Putzen.
In our family, there is a clear division of tasks for cooking and cleaning.
specialization
'die Spezialisierung' and 'die Arbeitsteilung' both have to do with the fact that not everyone does everything. 'Spezialisierung' is about a person or area focusing on a particular subject and becoming especially good at it. 'Arbeitsteilung' is about distributing different tasks among several people, groups, or machines. This can happen in a company, but also in a family or shared apartment. The words can be confused because division of labor often leads to specialization. Still, the focus is different: 'Spezialisierung' asks what someone is an expert in; 'Arbeitsteilung' asks who takes on which task.
In der WG klappt die Arbeitsteilung gut: Lisa kocht, und Tom putzt die Küche.
In the shared apartment, the division of tasks works well: Lisa cooks, and Tom cleans the kitchen.
Durch seine Spezialisierung auf Computersicherheit findet Mehmet schnell eine neue Stelle.
Thanks to his specialization in computer security, Mehmet quickly finds a new job.