Section 12 Flashcards
Derived Demand
The demand for an input or resource is derived from the demand for the good or service that uses the resource.
If the demand for an end product increases, then the demand for the materials will increase.
Downward sloping due to diminishing returns, not for the same reasons as downward slopping demands for consumer goods.
Marginal Revenue Product (MRP)
Additional revenue generated from using one more unit of the input.
Change in total revenue divided by the change in the number of inputs.
OR
Marginal product times marginal revenue.
Marginal Resource Cost (MRC)
Additional cost incurred by employing one more unit of the input.
Change in total cost divided by the change in the number of inputs.
Optimal Number of Workers
Where MRP = MRC
If MRP is greater then or equal to the MRC then we should employ more resources. If MRP is less then MRC then we should employ fewer.
Human Capital
Education, skills, etc.
Deriving Demand for Price Takers (competitive)
Market price is equal to marginal revenue
Deriving Demand for Price Makers
Market price is is not equal to marginal revenue. Marginal revenue is less then price.
Monopsony
One buyer in the market. Wage-setter.
Marginal resource costs are greater than the supply curve. Wages are less then a perfectly competitive wage rate.
Marginal resource cost is higher then supply curve, because when you raise the pay for one, you have to do it for everyone.
Employees where marginal revenue product is equal to marginal resource cost.
Cost Minimization
AKA - Least-cost Rule
Select the best ratio of marginal utilities per dollar. Select either labor or capital that is the highest until you reach the quantity desired.
Happens when the isoquant curve is tangent to the isocost curve. MU(x) / MU(y) = P(x) / P(y)
Profit Maximization
Output level is determined by dividing MRP by MRC while the results are 1.0 or higher. Anything below 1 should not be produced.
Backward Bending Supply Curve
The supply curve will increase with salary, and then at a certain point it will start to decrease with salary.
Labor is an inferior good. Leisure is a normal good.
At lower wages workers subsitute leisure for labor and work more.
At higher wages when income effect is greater then the substitution effect workers are less willing to work and want leisure activity.
Substitution Effect
Leads workers to supply more labor and have less leisure since the opportunity cost of leisure has increased.
Income Effect
If it is negative then they will reduce the quantity of labor supplied as wages increase.
Labor Union
Seek to exercise their market power and demand higher wages, better working conditions, or other benefits.
To get higher wages unions will either increase demands for labor or decrease supply of labor.
Increase Demand for Labor
- Increase price of alternative resources: lobbying to increase minimum wage or restrict capital use at the company.
- Increase productivity through training
- Pay for product advertising to increase demand for product
- Politics to increase demand for labor by requiring union employees only.