Labor Productivity - Essay Example

Labor productivity can be defined as the amount of output by an individual laborer within a specified duration of time. Labor productivity is to a large extent influenced by the availability of human and physical resources. At the individual level, labor productivity is influenced by a number of factors that will be discussed in this paper. Motivation among workers is the first factor, which serves to ensure that there is a continued commitment to the tasks assigned to them (Srivastava, 2007).

Even in the case of challenging tasks, motivated laborers, regardless of their line of duty, will be committed and will complete the work. Having a team spirit among the laborers also cannot be overlooked. The desire to play and win as a team and not as an individual is an important aspect of labor productivity. When workers have the urge to play and conquer as a team, they feel more obligated to fulfill their end of the task so as not to let the other team players down. Teamwork will lead to the realization of the maximum potential in each of the laborers (West, 2012).

With regard to teamwork, individuals can work at improving their interpersonal skills, which will enable them to associate in a healthy manner with their fellow employees. Having a well-structured and properly functioning organizational structure also considerably contributes to the maximization of labor productivity (Steffan, 2008). A well-organized structure in an organization will ensure that there are policies that have been set in place to look into the concerns and matters raised by laborers.

In settings where such structures do not exist, it might be of an individual’s concern to propose to the management to come up with a structure that seeks to address their needs. Family matters are also a factor to consider, acknowledging that it influences labor productivity to a noticeable extent. Workers in any given organization who experience a supportive family life are capable of producing more at work due to the presence of motivation. On the other hand, individuals who experience a stressful family life will not be able to fully exploit their potential at work, thus reducing overall labor productivity.

Hence, at the individual level, one can work at building healthy family life in order to be able to be fully productive. Lastly, there is the factor of capital formation and it has a positive influence on labor productivity. For example, the transfer of an individual’s savings into a business venture in the form of shares will lead to earning of interest by the individual and, at the same time, to the expansion of the business sector. Thus, it is evident that the above factors influence labor productivity in any given situation considerably; when a worker ensures that there is a balance in all of these factors or that he or she is satisfied as regards them, his or her productivity is bound to increase.