What is "work specialization"?

The concept of "work specialization" refers to the practice of dividing work into distinct tasks, allowing workers to focus on specific areas of expertise. This division enables individuals to become proficient in their designated tasks, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. When tasks are specialized, workers can typically perform them faster and with greater skill, which contributes to overall organizational effectiveness.

This approach is a foundation of scientific management theory, as it emphasizes the optimization of work processes and the systematic allocation of tasks based on skill sets. By honing in on specific job functions, organizations can streamline operations and enhance output.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the essence of work specialization. Assigning multiple tasks to one worker can lead to task overload and inefficiency, while strategies aimed at reducing efficiency or productivity directly contradict the goals of work specialization, which is fundamentally about enhancing these very outcomes.