Multi-Task Learning and the Reorganization of Work. From Tayloristic to Holistic Organization

Assar Lindbeck and Dennis Snower

No 39, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: The paper analyzes the contemporary organizational restructuring of production and work within firms. We emphasize the shift from a Tayloristic organization of work (characterized by significant specialization by tasks) to a holistic organization (featuring job rotation, integration of tasks and learning across tasks). We examine four driving forces behind this restructuring process: advances in production technologies promoting technological task complementarities, advances in information technologies promoting informational task complementarities, changes in worker preferences in favor of versatile work, and advances in human capital that make workers more versatile. Our analysis can also help explain the recent widening of wage differentials and disparities in job opportunities, not only between groups with similar characteristics, but also within these groups.

Keywords: Restructuring; work organization; technological change; information flows; multi-tasking; job rotation; learning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J23 J24 L23 M12 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 34 pages
Date: 1999-04
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

Published - published in: Journal of Labor Economics, 2000, 18 (3), 353-376

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Journal Article: Multitask Learning and the Reorganization of Work: From Tayloristic to Holistic Organization (2000)
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