Understanding Labor Demand in Competitive Markets
Explore the demand for labor in short and long run scenarios for competitive firms. Learn how wages, productivity, and market conditions influence labor demand. Dive into real-world examples and figures illustrating labor economics concepts.
Understanding Labor Demand in Competitive Markets
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Presentation Transcript
Topic 2. Chapters 3 & 4 The Demand for Labor
A Competitive Firm’s Demand for Labor in the Short Run In the short run, a firm demand workers where MRPL (marginal revenue product) = w (money wage) MPL (marginal product) x P (price of output) = w MPL = w/P (real wage) in a competitive market.
Example Supervisors Output (Q) MPL MRPL (P =$.50) w/P 0 1,000 --- --- ---- 1 4,800 2 8,000 3 9,500 4 10,200 5 10,600
Example Supervisors Output (Q) MPL MRPL (P =$.50) w/P 0 1,000 --- --- ---- 1 4,800 3,800 1,900 2 8,000 3,200 1,600 3 9,500 1,500 750 4 10,200 700 350 5 10,600 400 200
Table 3.2: Hypothetical Schedule of Marginal Revenue Productivity of Labor for Store Detectives
Figure 3.3: Effect of Increase in the Price of One Input (k) on Demand for Another Input (j), where Inputs Are Substitutes in Production
A Competitive Firm’s Labor Demand in the Long Run In the long run, a firm demand workers where MPL / MPK = w/r where w is wage and r is interest rate (price of capital) *Why? MPL x P = w (A) MPK x P = r (B) (A)/(B) MPL / MPK = w/r
Figure 3A.3: Cost Minimization in the Production of Q* (Wage = $10 per Hour; Price of a Unit of Capital = $20)
Figure 3A.4: Cost Minimization in the Production of Q* (Wage = $20 per Hour; Price of a Unit of Capital = $20)
Figure 3.4: The Market Demand Curve and Effects of an Employer-Financed Payroll Tax
Figure 4.3: Federal Minimum Wage Relative to Wages in Manufacturing, 1938-2007
Figure 4.4: Minimum Wage Effects: Growing Demand Obscures Job Loss
Figure 4.5: Minimum Wage Effects: Incomplete Coverage Causes Employment Shifts