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Introduction to Economics= ECON 1580-01
Written assignment= UNIT 3
INSTRUCTOR = OGOCHUKU FISHER
Conforming Capital and Labor Mix for Optimal Production
The decision-making process regarding resource allocation between capital and labor is very important and is a critical determinant of an establishment's efficiency and productivity. With the marginal product (MP) of capital at 60 and labor at 20, alongside their respective costs of $6 and $2.50, an establishment can discern valuable insights into its functional effectiveness (Brealey & Myers, 2016; Mankiw, 2014). In order to identify the optimal resource allocation, one has or must evaluate the marginal productivity of each factor in relation to its cost. The calculation for the marginal product per dollar spent on capital (MPK) is: \[ MPK = \frac{MP_{capital}}{Price_{capital}} = \frac{60}{6} = 10 \] For labor (MPL): \[ MPL = \frac{MP_{labor}}{Price_{labor}} = \frac{20}{2.50} = 8 \] These computations illustrate that capital offers a marginal product of 10 per dollar spent, surpassing labor's return of 8 (Varian, 2010). Consequently, the establishment is not capitalizing on its resources optimally; it should increase capital investment while reducing labor dependency. Practical implementations might involve adopting advanced technology or improving efficiency in machinery to minimize labor requirements while enhancing output levels (Haskel & Hurtenbach, 2010; Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014). This strategic reallocation can enhance productivity, reduce costs, and increase profits, resulting in improved competitiveness over time (Porter, 1985). Emphasizing optimal resource allocation aligns with economic principles that maximize outputs based on inputs (Tobin, 1969). The establishment stands to gain not only from immediate financial benefits but also from sustained growth and long-term viability in the market (Schumpeter, 1942; Rosenberg, 1994). In conclusion, the alignment of capital and labor through strategic resource allocation fosters an establishment's productivity and cost efficiency, contributing to a robust competitive advantage in today's dynamic market landscape. References . Brealey, R. A., & Myers, S. C. (2016). Principles of Corporate Finance. McGraw-Hill Education. . Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The Second Machine Age. W. W. Norton & Company. . Haskel, J., & Hurtenbach, M. (2010). Capitalization and the Productivity of Labor. Journal of Productivity Analysis, 34(1), 43-58. . Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive Advantage. The Free Press. . Schumpeter, J. A. (1942). Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy. Harper & Brothers.
. Varian, H. R. (2010). Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern
Approach. W. W. Norton & Company. . Kaldor, N. (1966). Marginal Productivity and the Theory of Distribution. The Review of Economic Studies, 33(3), 309-319. Friedman, M. (1953). The Methodology of Positive Economics. In Essays in Positive Economics.
. Acemoglu, D. (2009). Introduction to Modern Economic Growth.
Princeton University Press. . Marshall, A.( 1890). Principles of Economics. Macmillan. . Samuelson, P. A., & Nordhaus, W. D.( 2010). Economics. McGraw- Hill Education. . Mankiw, N. G.( 2014). Principles of Economics. Cengage Learning. Becker, G. S.( 1964). Human Capital. University of Chicago Press. . Pindyck, R. S., & Rubinfeld, D. L.( 2013). Microeconomics. Pearson Educational Limited. . Jones, C. I.( 2016). preface to Economic Growth. W.W. Norton & Company.