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Chapter 7

Chapter 7. Production Theory and Estimation. Production Theory and Estimation. Ch. 7: Production Function and Estimation Overview. 1. The main objectives any business is to maximize profits (Value Maximization).

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Chapter 7

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  1. Chapter 7 Production Theory and Estimation

  2. Production Theory and Estimation

  3. Ch. 7: Production Function and Estimation Overview 1. The main objectives any business is to maximize profits (Value Maximization). Profits = Revenues - Costs (Value) (P, Ad. Quality) (Efficiency)

  4. Guiding Principles of optimal resource use • The Single Case : Q=f(L) Decision Rule: MRPi= MFCi=> # 4, MRPi=> marginal revenue product (MR) MFCi=> marginal factor cost (MC) What if MRPi> MFCi ? Should we use more or less of the resource? Why?

  5. Guiding Principles of optimal resource use-cont. 2. The multiple inputs case: Q=f(K, L) a. Least cost combination rule=> MPL/w=MP/r  #10 (This is a necessary condition for optimal input use) What if MPL/w < MPK/r? Use more or less labor? Why? b. Optimal input use: MPL /MPK=w/r (This rule a sufficient condition for optimal use). What if MPL/MPK < w/r => use more what?

  6. 1. Production is the process of transforming inputs (resources) into output of goods and services. Inputs include land, labor including entrepreneurial talent, and capital.

  7. a) Fixed inputs are those that can not readily be changed during the period under consideration. Note: In the SR, we have both fixed & variable inputs Variable inputs are those whose use changes as needed (Labor, utilities, etc.) b) Short-run is the time period during which at least one input is fixed. Long-run is the time period during which all inputs are variable.

  8. 3. A production Function shows the relationship between inputs and some output. Qbooks =f(workers,machine,paper,ink, others) Qgraduation=f(faculty,facilities,personnel, etc)

  9. 4. The production function with one variable input(labor) short-run production. a) The total product of labor (Q) shows the different levels of output produced by different quantities of labor(capital is fixed).

  10. Measures of Productivity • The average product of labor(APL) measures output per worker APL= Q/L measures production efficiency The marginal product of labor(MPL) measures the output produced by the last unit of labor. ;

  11. - The output elasticity of labor (EL) measures the percentage change in output as a result of one percent change in the quantity of labor.

  12. b) Short-run production of potatoes on one acre of land using labor as a variable input.

  13. LQ(lb)APL=Q/LMPL= Q/ LEL=% Q/% L 0 0 - - - 1 3 3.0 3 1.00 2 8 4.0 5 1.25 3 12 4.0 4 1.00 4 14 3.5 2 0.57 5 14 2.8 0 0.00 6 12 2.0 -2 -1.00 Notice that the MPL is diminishing beyond the 2nd unit of labor. Why?

  14. 5. a) Some measures of productivity: - Output per worker (APL) -Marginal productivity per worker(input)

  15. b) Factors which influence productivity gains: -Increase in the amount of capital available per worker(K/L) -Improvements in technology(the level of applied scientific knowledge). -Changes in institutional rule(union work rules -Changes in government statutes.

  16. -Demographic trends may be the driving force behind technological changes, work-rule modification(fast food tech, flexible work hours). c) Importance of productivity gains: -Increased profits for firms. -Better standards of living for society.

  17. The three stages of SR Production See, p. 240 a) Stage 1-The fixed factor of production is underutilized. As we add more of the variable input to the fixed input, productive efficiency increases. AP increasing, MP>AP, EL>1.

  18. b) Stage 2-Represents a rational boundary of production. In our example, it occurs between 3 and 5 units of labor. c) Stage 3-Total product is declining. Even if wage per hour is 0, a rational producer will not use more than 5 units of labor in our example. Notice that the output elasticity of labor is negative in this stage i.e. EL< 0

  19. Stages SR Production Function Stage I:0 to L1 Stage II: L1 to L2 Stage III: above L2 • AP, MP Stage I Stage III Stage II APL Labor L1 L2 MPL

  20. 7. An optimal labor size will be employed when the marginal revenue product (MRPL) and the marginal resource cost of labor (MFCL) are equal =>MRPL = MFCL MRPL = MPL * product price (=>DL) MFCL = the additional cost of hiring an additional worker (SL)

  21. Rule: MRPL =MFCL Labor UnitsMPLMR=Price MRPL MFCL 2.5 4 $10 $40 $20 3.0 3 10 30 20 3.5 2 10 20 20 4.0 1 10 10 20 4.5 0 10 0 20

  22. Optimal Units of Labor MRP MFC $20 MFCL MRPL Labor 3.5

  23. 8. A production function with two variable inputs Q = f(L,K). a) Iso-quant curve is a line which shows the various combinations of labor and capital which yield the same level of output (see p. 243). b) MRTSLK is the rate at which labor is substituted for capital. It represents the slope of the iso-quant curve (p. 276). MRTSLK = - K/ L = MPL/MPK

  24. MRTSLK K Slope of Q at b => ΔK/ΔL=MPL/MPK=w/γ K1 b Q L C L1 Note: K1 and L1 are optimal mix of K and L

  25. c) Ridge lines are lines which separate the relevant (negatively sloped) from the irrelevant portions of the iso-quants. d) Iso-cost line is a line which shows the various combinations of labor and capital which entail the same total cost Total cost(expenditures) = exp. on labor and exp on capital

  26. C = wL + rK, where w = wage rate r = price of capital (interest rate) C = total cost outlay From the above, the isocost equation can be written as: K = C/r –w/rL

  27. Given C=$60; w=10; r=$15 Write the isocost equation in which you express K in terms of L. 60= 10L + 15K K = 60/15 - 10/15L=> K= 4 – 2/3L K K= 4 – 2/3L=> Isocost equation Slope of Isoquant => dK/dL = -2/3=w/r 60/15 = 4 L 6

  28. 9. An optimal input combination is obtained when a mix of resources (inputs) for which the MRTS is equal to the slope of the iso-cost line(the input price ratio). MRTSLK=- K/ L=>MPL/MPK=> slope of isoquant dK/dL = w/r =slope of isocost Optimal point=> at MPL/MPK=w/r

  29. Optimal Input Mix of K and L K Notice that only point D satisfies the optimal input combination. Why? P. 250 E At point D, 1. MPL/W=MPK/r =>LCC 2. MPL/MPK=w/r => sufficient condition for optimal combination D K F Q1 C1 L L C2

  30. A firm can minimize the cost of producing a given level of output or maximize the output for given cost outlay when MRTS = W/r. This equilibrium condition yields both production and cost efficiency.

  31. 10. An expansion path is a line which traces the least cost combination of inputs (i.e. MPL/w=MPK /r). P. 250 Note this takes place in the long-run when all production inputs can vary.

  32. 11. The effect of a decrease in the wage rate, the cost of capital remaining the is the use of a labor intensive technique of production and vice-versa.

  33. 12. Returns to scale refer to what happens to output if all the variable inputs are changed by the same proportion (%) in the LR?

  34. There are three possibilities: a) Output can increase by the same percentage as inputs- constant returns to scale. b) Output can increase by a greater percentage than the increase in inputs- increasing returns to scale. c) Output can increase by a smaller percentage than the increase in inputs- decreasing returns to scale.(see p.255)

  35. 13. a) The Cobb-Douglas production (Q =AKaLb) is used to estimate production relationships. b) Useful properties of the Cobb-Douglas production: - MPK and MPL depend on the quantities of capital and labor used. - The exponents of capital (a) and labor (b) represent the EK and EL, respectively. EK = a; EL = b.

  36. - The Cobb-Douglas production function can be estimated by linear regression by transforming it into lnQ = lnA + a lnK + b lnL -The Cobb-Douglas production function can be easily extended to determine the contribution of several inputs.

  37. Returns to Scale from Cobb-Douglas Production Function • The sum of the exponents of the C-D represent returns to scale • Given Q =ALαKβ, • If α + β= 1, the production function exhibits constant returns to scale • If α + β> 1, the production function exhibits increasing returns to scale • If α + β< 1, the production function exhibits decreasing returns to scale

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