The modern process of globalization owes much of its emergence to such a phenomenon as the international division of labor (MRI). Let's find out more about him. Consider the concept of the international division of labor, the forms of its development, varieties and factors influencing it.
Separation of duties: what is it and why is it needed
No one person is able to do absolutely everything by himself. No matter how diversified it is, sooner or later one has to face one's own incompetence in any matter. And there is not always enough ability or time to fill this gap in knowledge and skills.
To avoid the need to spend intellectual, physical and emotional resources on mastering all the skills necessary for life, the practice of division of labor according to speci alties has been introduced among people. This is the process of distribution of responsibilities in society among its members, in which everyone has the opportunityfocus only on his own work, which helps him do it better and faster than others.
For example, a doctor doesn't have to know how to make cakes, grow strawberries, or change the wiring in his house on his own. Focusing on the conscientious treatment of patients, in return he has the opportunity to receive what he needs from specialists in other industries - a confectioner, a farmer, an electrician. We will not dwell on the fact that the majority of domestic doctors are often (not having wages corresponding to their work) are forced to do all of the above with their own hands. After all, the beauty of our life is in theory. By the way, this unpleasant example from reality clearly proves the need for a competent differentiation of labor in practice, and not just on the pages of smart books.
International division of labor
At the moment, MRI is the pinnacle of evolution in the field of assignment of duties. Thanks to him, it is no longer individual people, tribes or organizations that specialize in performing a certain type of work, but countries, sometimes even entire continents. Interacting with each other, they complement each other, creating an objective basis for the international exchange of products, services, as well as the results of various activities.
Distribution principles are based on:
- natural resources;
- cheap labor;
- level of education and development of scientific and technical base, etc.
Unlike public RT within one country, in an international formateach state not only undertakes the production of any core goods or services, but also spends part of the resources to meet its own internal needs in all specializations. Otherwise it becomes too dependent on others. This can be used against him in case of conflicts or disputes with other countries.
How MTR appeared and developed
Even in time immemorial, people noticed that, although labor made a man out of a monkey, constant thoughtless work without rest makes him animal. And in order not to get on all fours again, the search began for ways to make work easier. Then came the idea of dividing all the duties performed by members of primitive communities into specializations. This is how intra-tribal RT arose.
Now a person no longer had to be able to do everything: hunt, butcher a carcass, cook and stock up for the winter, sew clothes from skins, make household items. All these tasks were divided among the members of the community, according to their abilities. As a reward for doing their part of socially useful work, everyone got access to other benefits created by their relatives.
Hunters could focus on the very process of finding and catching animals, as well as improving weapons and protection. For their work, they received prepared food and a place by the fire in the cave.
Keeping the flame, as well as cooking food for the whole community, became the concern of its other members. In turn, they no longer worried about the availability of fresh meat, vegetables. The freed up time was spent on writing new recipes, methods of processingproducts, the invention of more practical kitchen utensils.
Over time, in addition to intra-communal division of duties, separate specializations began to form among the tribes. Later peoples, countries. Initially, they were substantiated by habitat conditions (climate, water and forest resources, fossils, etc.). The better they were, the easier the life of the tribe was and the more desirable this area became for others. Territory wars began. And not only at the dawn of mankind, but also in more "enlightened" periods of history.
Only by the XVIII-XIX centuries. with the beginning of the industrial revolution and the automation of production, Tajikistan began to be based not on what mother nature gave countries. Specialization gradually began to be based on other factors:
- development of science;
- entrepreneurial ability;
- affordability of cheap labor;
- availability of highly qualified specialists.
These principles of MRI are still relevant today.
Types (types)
Today, the division of labor on a global scale occurs in three functional types (types).
- Single - specialization of the state at individual stages of production. For example, disposable syringes are made in Russia and Ukraine. But the needles for them are exported from Japan, which specializes in the production of these components.
- The general view of MRI means international interchange at the level of products of manufacturing and extractive industries. Within the framework of the OMRT, exporting countries are divided into: agricultural, raw materials,industrial.
- Partial view implies the differentiation of labor within large areas of production by sectors/sub-sectors (heavy/light industry, cattle breeding, agriculture). FMRI is associated with subject specialization.
International division of labor: basic forms
The essence of this phenomenon is determined by the unity of two processes:
- work division;
- mutually beneficial exchange of its results (products, services).
These components are called specialization and cooperation. They are forms of the international division of labor. Let's look at each in more detail.
International Cooperation (ICT)
This form of MRI involves the symbiosis of manufacturing companies from different countries in order to jointly manufacture the final product.
For example, for the manufacture of textile dolls in the Russian Federation, accessories for them (shoes, eyes, hair) are ordered in China, where the production of these parts has been established for a long time. And vice versa - wood for making popular chopsticks is imported to Chinese factories from the Russian Federation.
One of the most striking practices in international labor cooperation today is outsourcing. Thus, most countries with developed technologies prefer to transfer their production to countries with cheap labor. It turns out the cooperation of the labor force of one country with the technologies of another. An example is the production of iPhones. US technology, but assembly takes place in China.
Pros and cons, functions and features of MKT
As one of the two basic forms of the international division of labor, cooperation has both positive and negative sides.
MCB benefits include:
- Promotes accelerated integration of innovation through market economy methods.
- Reduces the cost of production / introduction of a new product, reduces the time for manufacturers to update technology.
- Stimulates the development of international joint venture activities.
- Smoothes the potential negative effects of using foreign investment in the domestic economy.
Among the disadvantages of this form of international division of labor:
- loss of autonomy by production of each of the countries;
- need to coordinate every step with partners;
- dependence on unexpected changes in the legal structure of one of the partner countries.
MKT performs two functions:
- is a means of intensifying the production of material goods and services at lower cost;
- helps to realize fundamentally new tasks, the implementation of which is problematic without combining the efforts of manufacturers from several countries.
The features of this form of international division of labor include the following.
- Advance agreement by participantsconditions of activity at all stages of production and sale of products.
- Participation of industrial enterprises of different countries as subjects of the production process.
- Clear distribution between the parties of tasks for the release of both individual parts and the finished product.
- All business relations between cooperators are not based on sales contracts, but on long-term contracts, taking into account the legal features of each country. These documents stipulate all the conditions (from the supply of raw materials to the volume of products, prices for it, pen alties for delays, force majeure situations, etc.).
Varieties of MKT
Cooperation as a form of manifestation of the international division of labor is divided into types according to different criteria.
- Territorial coverage: international, interregional.
- Number of participating entities: bilateral, multilateral.
- Number of production facilities: single-subject, multi-subject.
- Structure of connections: horizontal, vertical and mixed; intra- and intersectoral; intra- and intercompany.
- Types of activity: area of design and construction of facilities; trade and sale; scope of services; production, scientific and technical.
- Product manufacturing stages: pre-production and production, commercial (post-production sale).
- Forms of organization of ICB: contract, contractual, joint production, joint venture.
International Specialization (ITS)
Considering the types and forms of the international division of labor, let's pay attention to the second form. Namely, the specialization of individual countries (regions) in the manufacture of goods and the provision of services that are supplied to the world market for financial or any other benefit.
This form of MRI is a permanent economic orientation of a particular country or region to the production of a certain type of product not only to meet the internal needs of the state, but also for export.
MST Basic Directions
This form of MRI is evolving along two lines:
- traditional territorial;
- production (intersectoral, intrasectoral and specialization of individual enterprises).
These directions of specialization are at the same time the stages of its evolution. Ideally, it is necessary that both territorial and industrial ST develop in each individual state. In this case, there is a more rational use of resources, preventing their depletion. The most developed countries of Europe (Netherlands, Austria, Sweden) follow this path, but it is not easy for them to keep both directions in balance.
Factors affecting MRI
Having de alt with the essence and forms of the international division of labor, consider the factors on which it depends.
- Natural and geographical differences between countries. This is the most ancient criterion. Despite scientific and technological progress, today it plays an important role in MRI.
- NTP (scientifictechnical progress). It was he who radically influenced the development and forms of the international division of labor.
- Different levels of economic and scientific and technological development of states.
- Type of economic activity of the company, the nature of foreign economic relations in a particular country.
- The expansion of transnational corporations in economic terms.
Features of the use of MRI in the modern world
Having studied the forms and factors of the development of the international division of labor, let's pay attention to the trends in the development of MRI in modern conditions.
- The participation of any state or region in the global division of labor is determined not by natural factors, but by production factors (technology, quality of labor, etc.). In fact, STP has allowed even the most environmentally "poor" countries (Japan, Southeast Asia) to improve their position by emphasizing intensive development methods. However, the trend of division of labor between countries, based on the uneven availability of their natural and climatic resources, is still relevant.
- The significance of a country in MRI in the modern world directly depends on how it fits into the strategic tasks and goals of international cooperation. This affects the amount of foreign investment, loans, etc.
- Due to the catastrophic situation with modern ecology (which is a consequence of the thoughtless use of natural resources), both forms of the international division of labor concentrate their attention on industriesmanufacturing industry, mechanical engineering. They are less interested in agriculture or extractive industries, especially in their own territories.
- The service sector today has begun to play a special place in MRI. If earlier it was not given much importance (except for logistics), today for many countries it is tourism (Egypt, Greece, Italy), financial, banking, insurance services (Switzerland, Singapore), etc. are the main export item supporting the economy.
- Globalization and universalization of methods and means of communication allowed at the beginning of the XXI century. intensify the international and intercompany division of labor within the ILC.
Conclusion
Having considered the essence, types, factors and forms of the international division of labor briefly, let's summarize all of the above.
MRI was formed on the basis of the social division of duties and is a natural result of evolution. All international economic relations are based on this process.
The main forms of the international division of labor are cooperation and specialization. Their development is mainly influenced by such factors as the geographical location of the country, its natural resource base, standard of living, type of economic activity.
The effectiveness of the international division of labor is undeniable. This phenomenon affects global economic processes, helping even the most backward countries to become participants in the production of tangible and intangible goods around the world.
