1. Recall that economics is study of scarcity of resources and the need for their efficient allocation or utilization.  The guiding principles for the efficient allocation of resources is consistent with the profit maximization goal of firms  In the products market: MR=MC => P=MC in the case of perfect competition  In the factors market: (VMP L ) MRP L => Wage Rate (MFC L =S L )  The two profit maximizing rules are simply two views of the same choice process. Both rules result in the efficient allocation of resources.  Factors of production are the inputs used to produce goods and services (labor, capital, land, managerial ability).

2. The demand for a factor of production is a “derived” which means that the demand for the input depends on the demand for the final product. 3. Examples: D-accountants depends on the demand for accounting services; D-steel depends on the D for autos, D for housing, D for refrigerators 4. The determinants of demand for labor are: productivity of the worker (education; technology) and the price of what it produces

5.The the demand for labor (D L ) is represented by the value of marginal product (VMP L ), or marginal revenue product (MRP L ) VMP L (MRP L ) = Marginal product (MP L ) X price 6.The Hiring Rule for Inputs VMP L (MRP L )= MFC L (Wage)

Labor Output MP L Price VMP L (MRP L ) Wage(MFC L ) $.50 $5.00 $ Krystals should hire 3 students. Why? Graph

 MRP L, MFC L MFC L MRP L $5 L=3 MFC L L=2 $6

8. Note that the demand for labor is downward sloping because of the law of diminishing returns. 9. What are the factors which cause the demand for labor to shift (increase or decrease) ? -change in productivity due to an improvement in technology and education -Change in the product price due to a change in the demand for the product that labor produces. 10. What happens to the number of workers hired if the wage rises? Why? It will decrease the number of workers hired because the firm will substitute capital or other inputs for labor.

It is determined by the market demand and the market supply of workers in each profession. W, MRP L SLSL D L =MRP L Lc Wc

 Difference in education i.e. amount training required for the job (brain surgeon)  Compensating differentials for risks involved with the job (Fire fighters, Police)  Having a special talent (skills) which entitles owners to realize economic rent (LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Larry Baird, Barry Bond, entertainers)  Discrimination (gender and race)-see p. 551 white males = $46,746; white women= $34,464; black males = $33,248; black females= $29,749; Hispanic males= $26,769; and Hispanic females= $24,402 as of 2006

 It depends on the skill and experience of workers  It does not have a negative effect on the skilled and experienced workers who earn above the minimum wage.  It may, however, reduce the employment level of the youth.

 They formed unions and engaged in collective bargaining with management.  A labor Union is an organized group of workers whose purpose is to increase wages and influence other job conditions for its members.  Union strengths peaked in the 1950s when 35 % of the nonagricultural workers belonged to unions.  Since 1955, it has declined to about 11.9%. (Teamsters, UAW, USW, AMA, CWA, Machinist, Carpenters, Electricians, ABA, NBA)

 The repression phase- period before the Great Depression of the 1930s-management has had the support of courts to expel workers it they tried to form a union.  The encouragement phase of 1935-before 1947 (Norris-LaGuardia Act, 1932, and Wagner Act, 1935) –collective bargaining between mgt & unions  The Cool-off period – Taft Hartley Act of gave the President the power to call off strikes

 a. Crafts union- association of a group of workers with similar skills (ABA, AMA, Electricians, Carpenters, PE, etc.)-exclusive- limited entry  b. Industrial union- a group of workers who have a variety of skills and job types in the same industry (UAW, USW)-inclusive-power source or strength

 a. To increase compensation (30% higher than nonunion wage)  b. To improve working conditions  c. To expand job opportunities

 Meaning- a market in which there is a single or dominant employer of workers  Example-School district in the hiring of teachers  The level of employment is determined where MFC L = MRP L but the wage rate is determine on the supply of labor, but the monopsony wage is determined on the market labor supply curve

MRP L, MFC L SLSL MFC L MRP L Labor Wu Wc LmLc MRP L, MFC L WMWM

 Bilateral Monopoly- a labor market in which a monopoly of union faces a monopsony employer  Example: Teachers’ union facing School Board in salary negotiation  The level of employment is the same as the monopsony, but the wage depends on the bargaining position of either side, i.e. close union asking wage (Wu) or monopsony wage(Wm)  Show Graph

MRP L, MFC L SLSL MFC L Wc Wu MRP L LcLm Wm Labor

 The Demand for Capital, land, and other factors can be analyzed in a similar fashion as the demand for labor  In the financial market, the demand for capital is represented by the value of marginal product of capital (VMP capital )= MFC capital )  The interest rate or cost of capital is determined by the market demand and supply of financial capital.  In the market for land the demand for land is represented by the value of marginal product of land (VMP Land = MFC Land ).  Land rent is determined by the market demand and supply of land.