What is Job Specialization?

Job specialization is the process where individuals or employees develop specific skills and expertise to perform certain activities within their role. This approach to work divides broader job roles into more detailed, specific tasks, allowing employees to concentrate on these tasks to become experts in their particular area of responsibility.

The concept of job specialization is closely tied to the division of labor, a strategy aimed at improving efficiency and productivity by allocating distinct tasks to workers based on their skills and expertise.

Job specialization is often contrasted with work specialization. While both involve focusing on specific tasks to increase efficiency, job specialization focuses on the individual’s development of expertise in a particular role or activity within their broader occupational field. On the other hand, work specialization usually refers to the division of tasks within an organization to promote efficiency.