Suppose you want to buy mangoes at Rs.100 per dozen you buy 6 dozens. If the price of mangoes increase to 200/- then how much will you buy? Definitely less quantity of goods. What kind of relationship is there between the price and quantity demanded? There is inverse relation. The law of demand explains the functional relationship between price of a commodity and the quantity demanded of the same. It is observed that the price and the demand are inversely related which means that the two move in the opposite direction. An increase in the price leads to a fall in the demand and vice versa. The law of demand states that “Ceteris paribus (other things remaining the same), higher the price, lower the demand and vice versa”. The law is stated primarily in terms of the price and quantity relationship. The quantity demanded is inversely related to its price. Continue reading
Economics Basics
Demand-Pull and Cost-Push Inflation
The term ‘inflation’ is used in many senses and it is difficult to give a generally accepted, precise and scientific definition of the term. Popularly, inflation refers to a rise in price level. Read More: Definition of Inflation and it’s Types Causes and Effects of Inflation The Stages of Inflation Keynesian View of Inflation Effects of Inflation on Different Groups of Society We can distinguish between two kinds of inflation on the basis of their causes, viz., demand-pull and cost-push inflation. Demand-Pull Inflation The most common cause for inflation is the pressure of ever-rising demand on a stagnant or less rapidly increasing supply of goods and services. The expansion in aggregate demand may be due to rapidly increasing private investment or expanding government expenditure for war or economic development. At a time when demand is expanding and exerting pressure on prices, attempts are made to expand production. However, this may Continue reading
Arguments in Favor of Firms Profit Maximization Objective
Profit maximization is the most important assumption, which helps the economists to introduce the price and production theories. The traditional economic theory assumes that the profit maximization is the only objective of business firms. According to this theory, profits must be earned by business to provide for its own survival, coverage of risks, growth and expansion. It is a necessary motivating force and it is in terms of profits that the efficiency of a business is measured. It forms the basis of conventional price theory. Profit maximization is regarded as the most reasonable and analytically the most productive business objective. The profit maximization assumption in this theory helps in predicting the behavior of business firms and also the behavior of price and out pet under different market conditions. No alternative hypothesis or assumption explains and predicts the behavior of firms better than the profit maximization assumption. The traditional theory supports Continue reading
Different Types of Costs
Profit is the ultimate aim of any business and the long-run prosperity of a firm depends upon its ability to earn sustained profits. Profits are the difference between selling price and cost of production. In general the selling price is not within the control of a firm but many costs are under its control. The firm should therefore aim at controlling and minimizing cost. Since every business decision involves cost consideration, it is necessary to understand the meaning of various concepts for clear business thinking and application of right kind of costs. A managerial economist must have a clear understanding of the different cost concepts for clear business thinking and proper application. The several alternative bases of classifying cost and the relevance of each for different kinds of problems are to be studied. The various relevant concepts of cost are: Opportunity costs and Outlay costs: Out lay cost also known Continue reading
Pigovian Tax – Meaning and Definition
Neo-classicals uphold perfect competition as the ideal state of the market. But in truth, the economy is fraught with market failures. Therefore, we need government interference to correct many of these market failures. Pigovian Tax (also spelled Pigouvian tax) imposed by the government is one such course of intervention. It helps to curb negative externalities (e.g. pollution) and reduce the burden on the society caused by the externalities (social costs of production and consumption). Moreover, it attacks over-consumption, bringing it closer to the socially optimal level of production and/or consumption. What is Pigovian Tax? Pigovian tax is a kind of tax, which is levied to correct a negative cost that is created by the actions of any business firm, but that is not considered in a firm’s private costs or profits. Also known as ‘sin tax’, it is a tax placed on an action with a negative externality, to correct Continue reading
Principal-Agent Problem – Overview, Examples and Solutions
The significant discussion in business economics is principal-agent problems in organizations. A principal is a top authority who hires agents to act on his/her behalf, while an agent usually aims to achieve the objectives of the principal. A principal-agent problem arises when the activities of an agent impact on the principal’s interests. Although agents may seek to attain the goals set by principals but may sometimes fail to carry out those targets. The conflict between shareholders (as principals) and managers (as agents) is a good example of principal-agent problem. When ownership and control is divided between the principals and agents in an organisations this gives the agents opportunity to pursue the goals that may not agree with the desires of the principals. A lot of principal-agent relationships may be found in human society such as patients and doctors, shareholders and managers, managers and workers. But shareholder-manager and manager-workers are the Continue reading