Summary: Productive efficiency is concerned with the optimal method of producing goods; producing goods at the lowest cost. Allocative efficiency is concerned with the optimal distribution of goods and services. Example: An economy could be productively efficient in producing large numbers of boots – but if they were all for the left foot, it would …
Population density is the average number of people living per square mile/km. A high population density implies that the population is high relative to the size of the country. Countries, such as Belgium and the Netherlands have a high population density. Large countries, such as Australia and Canada have very low densities. Though this low …
Most firms seek to become bigger – increasing sales and market share. Firms can grow through internal expansion, external growth (merger) or diversification into related industries. The motives for increasing in size can include: Greater sales lead to greater profit, making the firm more attractive to shareholders Successful, growing firms are likely to increase salaries/pay …
New trade theory (NTT) suggests that a critical factor in determining international patterns of trade are the very substantial economies of scale and network effects that can occur in key industries. These economies of scale and network effects can be so significant that they outweigh the more traditional theory of comparative advantage. In some industries, …
This is a theory which estimates the likely utility of an action – when there is uncertainty about the outcome. It suggests the rational choice is to choose an action with the highest expected utility. This theory notes that the utility of a money is not necessarily the same as the total value of money. …
Profit maximisation is an assumption of classical economics. One can easily understand the logic of pursuing profit maximisation. Profits enable greater wages and dividends for the entrepreneurs who set up the company. Profit can be used to finance investment in expanding the company Profit provides a fall back for difficult times However, despite the benefits …
Economies of scope occur when a firm can gain efficiencies from producing a wider variety of products. These efficiencies can involve lower average costs. It can also involve increased revenue from being able to increase sales in new, related markets. It is similar to concept of economies of scale – where higher output leads to …
In the 1930s, George Orwell volunteered to spend time down a coal mine to find what life was like for coal miners. For the six foot, middle class, old Etonian, the experience of going down a mine was a real shock. The experience left him sore and full of admiration for those who worked down …