labor intensity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "labor intensity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the amount of labor required in a particular process or industry, often in relation to productivity or efficiency. Example: "The labor intensity of this manufacturing process is significantly higher than that of automated systems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They must instead offer gender-neutral rates by labor intensity.

Independent

For audiences, the evident labor intensity of the show -- the shopping, the cooking, the cleaning up -- is one of its more compelling elements.

The New York Times

"It's true we work longer hours than in any other country, but our labor intensity is not good enough to introduce a five-day workweek.

The New York Times

Even if unemployment insurance did not discourage a single person from working, the net effect of the program on hiring can be positive or negative, depending on the labor intensity of the goods and services that the unemployed buy, compared with the labor intensity of the goods and services that those who pay for unemployment do not buy.

The New York Times

The altered composition of spending can have some interesting, but probably small, effects on the labor market, depending on the labor intensity of the various industries involved (as I noted in a previous post).

The New York Times

Charles Kennedy, a senior vice president of research at ABC, said the media industry had been "hampered by the labor intensity and the complexity" of keeping track of digital media.

The New York Times

So does the labor intensity.

Forbes

Table 12 Effect of the AUH on labor intensity.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Two ex situ nursery systems differing in cost, design complexity, and labor intensity were compared.

Aquaculture

Shape complexity tends to challenge labor intensity, joint preparation, and fixturing.

Joining of Materials and Structures From Pragmatic Process to Enabling Technology

Harvesting kelp by hand is a difficult process with low production efficiency and high labor intensity.

Aquacultural Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In economic reports or business analyses, quantify "labor intensity" with metrics like labor hours per unit of output to provide concrete data.

Common error

Avoid using "labor intensity" interchangeably with labor cost. "Labor intensity" refers to the amount of labor required, while labor cost is the monetary expense associated with that labor. A high-labor-intensity process may not necessarily have a high labor cost if wages are low.

Linguistic Context

Labor intensity functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe or quantify the amount of labor required for a particular task, process, or industry. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

31%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "labor intensity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the amount of labor required for a specific task or process. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and its meaning is clear across various contexts. It is most commonly used in scientific, news, and formal/business settings. The term is essential for describing and analyzing economic trends, evaluating the impact of automation, and comparing the efficiency of different processes. When writing, ensure that "labor intensity" is not confused with labor costs and remember to use it when quantifying or comparing the amount of labor involved in a particular activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

labor intensiveness

Synonymous with "labor intensity", offering a slightly different phrasing.

degree of manual operation

Emphasizes the extent to which tasks are performed by hand, useful when contrasting with automated processes.

workload level

Focuses on the amount of work required, similar to labor intensity but more general.

level of human involvement

Highlights the degree to which human workers are necessary, compared to automation or other factors.

effort expenditure

Highlights the effort and energy spent, emphasizing the cost aspect of labor intensity.

manual labor input

Specifically refers to physical labor contribution, contrasting with automated processes.

human resource demand

Emphasizes the need for workers, particularly relevant in management contexts.

workforce exertion

Focuses on how much the workforce must exert themselves.

staffing requirements

Focuses on the number of employees needed, related to but not directly quantifying labor intensity.

personnel commitment

Indicates the amount of dedication and time personnel invest in a task, linked to labor intensity.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "labor intensity" in a sentence?

Use "labor intensity" to describe the amount of labor needed for a particular process or industry. For example: "The labor intensity of agriculture has decreased with the introduction of mechanized farming."

What are some alternatives to "labor intensity"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "workload level", "effort expenditure", or "manual labor input".

How does "labor intensity" differ from productivity?

"Labor intensity" refers to the amount of labor required, while productivity measures the output per unit of input (including labor). A process can have high labor intensity but low productivity if the output is small relative to the labor input.

What is the relationship between "labor intensity" and automation?

Automation generally aims to reduce labor intensity by replacing human labor with machines or automated systems. The goal is often to increase efficiency and reduce costs associated with manual labor.