Define 'productivity'.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [2] Productivity can be defined as the effectiveness of productive effort as measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input. For example, output per worker over a specific time period.
2. [1] Partial definition given (limited understanding)
3. [3] (Award up to 3 marks for two ways soundly explained. Sound explanation of one way or partial explanation of two gets 2 marks; Partial explanation of one way or a list of two gets 1 mark). Ways in which productivity levels could be improved include:
4. improve the training of staff to raise skill levels – staff could become more efficient
5. improve worker motivation – intrinsic and extrinsic rewards
6. invest in more effective/advanced technology – might mean more capital intensive process of production
7. more efficient management, e.g. better supplies, better machine maintenance, better people management.