Film Critique #2 (Option G. Business Films)
Film: "The Efficiency Expert"

When I saw the film: Friday, May 30, 1997.

Where I saw the film: In the comfort of my own home! (Rented the film, VHS format).

Readings which relate to this film: pp. 58-65 from Riddell's, "Economics: A Tool for Understanding Society", and the excerpt from Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations".

Paragraph that relates one key concept of the respective reading towards the film:
        The division of labor as defined by Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations" speculates on the innovation of the factory environment in terms of production levels. In 1776 (publication date of the "Wealth of Nations") the concept of dividing the labor force into distinct departments was an entirely new concept. The thought that each employee had a very distinct task to preform in an assembly line filled economists minds with such grand thoughts of efficiency. Theoretically, the system of dividing tasks of assembling a specific product seemed almost too good to be true. This is where the movie "The Efficiency Expert" comments upon so well. In a nutshell, it is discovered that through the film that indeed the system of so called efficiency of dividing the labor force produces a high degree of boredom. This is uncovered through the scheme Anothony Hopkins' character (the erudite student of the theory of Smith) devises to increase levels of efficiency in a factory. Hopkins' character believes quite strongly in the division of labor theory. In fact this is the very essence of Hopkins' tools of efficiency which he proposes to Mr. Balls (CEO of Balls Moccasins and Clothing factory). Some of Hopkins' solutions would inclue errecting barriers in front of each of the seamstresses in order to limit their amount of chatter, thus theoritically allowing them to concetrate more and produce a higher volume of goods. What is discovered, is that preforming one specific mundane task without social interaction renders such blantent levels of boredom in employees. Ironically, the levels of production lower gradually over a lengthy period of time. Lower levels not necessarily due to poor craftmanship, but instead due to the lack of social interaction. This is where Smith's theory is deficient in explaining the basic human need to interact with one another, This is also where Hopkins' fatal flaw in his theory exists. The flaw being the notion of comparing higher levels of production to be equitable with lower levels of social interaction. Although dividing tasks in the factory environment is a wise decision to increase production, still the need to interact is both necessary and most humane. Factory workers are not automatons of the department head or CEO. If a robot is needed to preform a task then a company head ought to invest in such (this would obviously cease chatting altogether). Yet, if humans are the main component of the work force, then an understanding of communication must be accepted. Finally, Hopkins learns the importance of team work and camaraderie derived through communication, not only in work but also during off-work hours. This being exemplified by the improved realtionship between Hopkins' character and his "screen" wife. The director includes the realtionship between husband and wife as an important motif is to illustrate the symbiotic existence between both work and non-work problems. Both having in common the solution of a necessary increase in communication.