The economic concepts of the long run and the short run have become part of everyday language. Managerial economists are also concerned with the short-run and long-run effects of decisions on revenues as well as on costs. The actual problem in decision-making is to maintain the right balance between the long-run and short-run considerations. A decision may be made on the basis of short-run considerations, but may in the course of time offer long-run repercussions, which make it more or less profitable than it appeared at first. An illustration will make this point clear. Suppose there is a firm with temporary idle capacity. An order for 5,000 units comes to management’s attention. The customer is willing to pay 4.00 $ per unit or 20,000 $ for the whole lot but not more. The short-run incremental cost (ignoring the fixed cost) is only 3.00 $. Therefore, the contribution to overhead and Continue reading
Managerial Economics
Managerial Economics generally refers to the integration of economic theory with business practice. It deals with the use of economic concepts and principles of business decision making. Managerial Economics is thus constituted of that part of economic knowledge or economic theories which is used as a tool of analyzing business problems for rational business decisions. Managerial economics can be viewed by most modern economists as a practical application of economics theory in using effectively the firms scarce resources.
Pricing under Different Market Structures
Price-fixation is an important managerial function in all business enterprises. If the price set is quite high, the seller may not find enough number of consumers to buy his product. If the price fixed is too low, the seller may not be able to cover his cost. Thus, fixing appropriate price is a major decision-taking function of any enterprise. Price-decisions, no doubt, need to be reviewed from time to time. Market Structures and Pricing Decisions A firm operates in a market and not in isolation. Under Perfect Competition price is determined by the forces of demand and supply. The point of intersection between demand and supply curves is the point of equilibrium which determines the equilibrium price. Each firm under perfect competition is a price taker and not a price maker. The Average Revenue Curve of a firm under perfect competition is horizontal and that AR = MR. Further there Continue reading
Actions Taken by RBI and Ministry of Finance to Tackle Economic Problems
As most of economists feel that the most horrible economic problem which India is facing currently is inflation. To come out of these problems RBI and ministry of finance and other relevant government and regulatory entities are taking various initiatives which are as follows; RBI MONITORY POLICY With the introduction of the Five year plans, the need for appropriate adjustment in monetary and fiscal policies to suit the pace and pattern of planned development became imperative. The monitory policy since 1952 emphasized the twin aims of the economic policy of the government: Spread up economic development in the country to raise national income and standard of living, and To control and reduce inflationary pressure in the economy. This policy of RBI since the First plan period was termed broadly as one of controlled expansion, i.e.; a policy of “adequate financing of economic growth and at the same time the time Continue reading
Profit Maximization Methods in Managerial Economics
The profit maximization theory states that firms (companies or corporations) will establish factories where they see the potential to achieve the highest total profit. The company will select a location based upon comparative advantage (where the product can be produced the cheapest). The theory draws from the characteristics of the location site, land price, labor costs, transportation costs and access, environmental restrictions, worker unions, population etc. The company will then elect the best location for the factory to maximize profits. This is anathema to the idea of social responsibility because firms will place their factory to achieve profit maximization. They are nonchalant to environment conservation, fair wage policies and exploit the country. The only objective is to earn more profits. In economics, profit maximization is the process by which a firm determines the price and output level that returns the greatest profit. There are several approaches to profit maximization. 1. Continue reading
Government Policy Instruments for Managing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
By their choice of policies, home countries can both encourage and restrict FDI by local firms. We look at policies designed to encourage outward FDI first. These include foreign risk insurance, tax incentives, and political pressure. Then we will look at policies designed to restrict outward FDI. Home Country Policies to Encourage Outward FDI Many investor nations now have government backed insurance programs to cover major types of foreign investment risks. The types of risks insurable through these programs include risks of expropriation (nationalization), war losses and the inability to transfer profit back home. Such programs are particularly useful in encouraging firms to undertake investments in politically unstable countries. Home Country Policies to Restrict Outward FDI Virtually all investor countries, including the US, have tried to exercise some control over outward FDI from time to time. One common policy has been to limit capital outflows out of certain concern for Continue reading
Role of Profit in Business
Anticipation of higher profits leads to an inducement to invest as well as to innovate. As the entrepreneur begins to forecast more profits he undertakes more investment which in turn creates more employment. This will generate more incomes which in turn, will create more demand for a variety of goods in the market. The prices of these goods will rise at a rate which is related to supply. Higher prices may lead to more profits and greater inducement to invest. The Keynesian Investment Multiplier will begin to operate and the economy will march towards prosperity especially by creating bullishness in the stock markets. Whereas decline in profits signals the oncoming of depression because as profit margins dwindle, investment will fall as there would be not much of incentive to invest more. As the investment declines the Investment Multiplier will begin to operate in reverse. Employment will fall, incomes will decline, Continue reading