---
entity_slug: productive_powers_of_labour
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:10:31.500087'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly identifies productive powers as labour's capacity
    to generate output and specifies the mechanism (division of labour enhancing skill,
    dexterity, and judgment). It avoids circularity and captures a distinct concept,
    though it could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "capacity."
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text, specifically Book I,
    Chapter 1, where he explicitly discusses how division of labour improves the "productive
    powers of labour" using the famous pin factory example. The terminology and concept
    are authentically Smithian.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Production" domain assignment is exactly correct, as this concept
    deals fundamentally with how labour produces output and the factors that enhance
    productive capacity. It sits at the core of Smith's production theory.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S1 (primary operations) as it describes the
    fundamental productive capacity of the operational units, and potentially to S4
    (intelligence) regarding how organizations learn to enhance productive capabilities
    through specialization. It has clear VSM relevance rather than being abstract.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides substantial explanatory power by illuminating the
    key mechanism through which division of labour increases economic output. It explains
    not just what happens (increased productivity) but how it happens (through enhanced
    skill, dexterity, and judgment).
---

# Evaluation: Productive Powers Of Labour

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly identifies productive powers as labour's capacity to generate output and specifies the mechanism (division of labour enhancing skill, dexterity, and judgment). It avoids circularity and captures a distinct concept, though it could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "capacity."

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text, specifically Book I, Chapter 1, where he explicitly discusses how division of labour improves the "productive powers of labour" using the famous pin factory example. The terminology and concept are authentically Smithian.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Production" domain assignment is exactly correct, as this concept deals fundamentally with how labour produces output and the factors that enhance productive capacity. It sits at the core of Smith's production theory.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S1 (primary operations) as it describes the fundamental productive capacity of the operational units, and potentially to S4 (intelligence) regarding how organizations learn to enhance productive capabilities through specialization. It has clear VSM relevance rather than being abstract.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides substantial explanatory power by illuminating the key mechanism through which division of labour increases economic output. It explains not just what happens (increased productivity) but how it happens (through enhanced skill, dexterity, and judgment).
