Great man Quote by Adam Smith
““must necessarily be small; and those employed in every different branch of the work can often be collected into the same workhouse, and placed at once under the view of the spectator. In those great manufactures, on the contrary, which are destined to supply the great wants of the great body of the people, every different branch of the work employs so great a number of workmen that it is impossible to collect them all into the same workhouse””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Wealth of Nations, 1776
Large-scale production requires many workers, making it impossible to observe all labor together in one place.
In simple terms: Big factories have too many workers to watch all at once.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of oversight in massive operations.
Themes
economics
labor
industrialization
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
economic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- factory management
- policy making
- labor rights
- efficiency analysis
Key Concepts
division of labor
scale
visibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can managers ensure fair treatment in large factories?
- What mechanisms improve oversight?
A Different Perspective
Even with many workers, coordination challenges persist.
