Final answer:
The kitchen can produce more meals in a given period of time when a baker and a chef specialize in their respective tasks due to the principle of comparative advantage, which leads to increased efficiency and productivity. Specialization reduces task switching costs and allows for greater skill development in each worker's area of expertise.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a kitchen has two workers, a baker and a chef, and each specializes in what they do best, the production of meals is more efficient than if each tried to handle every task from appetizers to desserts. This efficiency gain is due to the principle of comparative advantage, which is the ability of an individual or group to carry out a particular economic activity more efficiently than another activity. In this scenario, the baker may be superior at making breads and pastries, while the chef excels in preparing entrees and coordinating meal components.
Specialization allows each worker to focus on their strengths, improving overall productivity because less time is wasted on tasks that do not align with their particular skill set. Also, specialization can lead to more practice in a specific task, thereby enhancing proficiency and speed, which further increases output.
For instance, if the baker only bakes and the chef only cooks, they each become more skilled and faster at their respective tasks compared to a situation where they would have to switch between baking and cooking, which induces a loss in focus and potential productivity due to task switching costs.
Lastly, the theory of comparative advantage demonstrates that when individuals concentrate on tasks where they have a lower opportunity cost relative to others, the overall production increases – as reflected in the example of the campers. Jethro focusing on tasks he is comparatively better at, even if he is absolutely better at all tasks, enhances the group's total productivity.
Likewise, when translated to the kitchen scenario, having the baker and chef focus on their respective areas of specialization ensures that more meals are produced more efficiently in a given time frame.