The main idea behind Baumols model is that Innovation is the motivating force behind the growth miracle of capitalism. In the neoclassical theory of the firm, firms compete based on price, but William Baumol argues that in a Capitalist economy innovation rather than price is the main competitive dimension and less innovative firms will find their markets shrinking as they lose business to their more innovative competitors. Thus, innovation is essential to the survival of firms in a capitalist economy. Baumol argues that innovation has replaced price as the most important factor that lies behind economic growth. He suggests that even though it has been recognized that important innovations stem from small firms, individuals or entrepreneurs, the bulk of innovative activity however is carried out by large oligopolistic firms. Baumol’s argument supports Schumpeter’s distinction between entrepreneurs led and routinized innovation. Schumpeter held that technological competition was the form of competition Continue reading
Economics Concepts
Settlement of Transactions in Foreign Exchange Markets
Foreign exchange markets make extensive use of the latest developments in telecommunications for transmitting as well settling foreign exchange transaction, Banks use the exclusive network SWIFT to communicate messages and settle the transactions at electronic clearing houses such as CHIPS at New York. SWIFT SWIFT is a acronym for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, a co operative society owned by about 250 banks in Europe and North America and registered as a co operative society in Brussels, Belgium. It is a communications network for international financial market transactions linking effectively more than 25,000 financial institutions throughout the world who have been allotted bank identified codes. The messages are transmitted from country to country via central interconnected operating centers located in Brussels, Amsterdam and Culpeper, Virginia. The member countries are connected to the centre through regional processors in each country. The local banks in each country reach the regional processors Continue reading
The Principle of Opportunity Cost
Opportunity or economic cost is an initial part of the business process and plays a crucial role for stakeholders and investors. The opportunity cost calculation represents the distinction between the returns of investments of the declined and accepted option. When the management decides which direction will be the most successful for the company and bring a lot of profit, they have to consider all the possible outcomes. Choosing one opportunity over another always comes with some benefits and losses. The central task is to see all the possible opportunities and choose those that will bring more profit. The opportunity cost of a decision means the sacrifice of alternatives required by that decision. The concept of opportunity cost can be best understood with the help of a few illustrations, which are as follows: The opportunity cost of the funds employed in one’s own business is equal to the interest that could Continue reading
National Income Accounting in India
According to the First report of the National Income Committee, “National income estimate measures the volume of commodities and services turned out during a given period, counted without duplication.” This means the total volume of goods and services produced in a year in a country is valued in monetary terms to obtain the National income of the country concerned. Regarding the measurement of National income, it could be done in three different ways depending upon the interpretation of concept of national income. If National income is considered as a flow of goods and services, then the method used is called Product method. If National income is treated as a flow of income then the relevant method of measuring it is called Income method. Alternatively, if National income is treated as a flow of expenditure, the method used is called the Expenditure method. Apart from these traditional methods of measuring National Continue reading
Keynesian and Classical Economists Views about Disequilibrium
Economists usually define general disequilibrium as the state in which contrasting market forces of supply and demand fail to reach a balance and there exist an intrinsic inclination for change. The main indicator of market disequilibrium is the continuation of shortages either in the demand or supply side of the economy. There are two main models that hold divergent views concerning disequilibrium namely the Keynesian and Classical Economists models. Generally, the major causes for disequilibrium in the markets if the deficiencies created either in the aggregate demand or aggregate supply side of the economy. This means that in such circumstances the market does not clear. Main causes of disequilibrium are understood in the light of the economic model s followed by scholars. For instance, the Keynesian theory’s causes differ from that of classical economists. For instance, following Keynesian’s view, disequilibrium arises when there are disparities between leakages and injections where Continue reading
Factors Influencing Foreign Exchange Rates
Foreign exchange rates are extremely volatile and it is incumbent on those involved with foreign exchange – either as a purchaser, seller, speculator or institution – to know what causes rates to move. Actually, there are a variety of factors – market sentiment, the state of the economy, government policy, demand and supply and a host of others. The more important factors that influence foreign exchange rates are discussed below: Strength of the Economy :The strength of the economy affects the demand and supply of foreign currency. If an economy is growing fast and is strong it will attract foreign currency thereby strengthening its own. On the other hand, weaknesses result in an outflow of foreign exchange. If a country is a net exporter (as were Japan and Germany), the inflow of foreign currency far outstrips the outflow of their own currency. The result is usually a strengthening in its value. Continue reading