economics 550 0

Get perfect grades by consistently using www.college-experts.com. Place your order and get a quality paper today. Take advantage of our current 20% discount by using the coupon code GET20


Order a Similar Paper Order a Different Paper

 

ECO-550 Assignment 2     
the assignment is due at the end of week 6.

Please use the following information for Assignment 2:

1. Assume that your inverse demand equation from Assignment 1 is written as: P = 24.52 – 0.024Q. Then, the marginal revenue (MR) equation for this demand equation will become: MR = 24.52 – 0.048Q.
Also assume that the price (P) found in Assignment 1 was = $9.25.

 


2. Modify the cost functions given in the syllabus as follows:
    TC = 160 + 10 Q + 0.0063Q2.
    VC = 10Q + 0.0063Q2.
    MC = 10 + 0.0126Q. 

3. Continue with answering all questions as instructed below.  Make sure to use the MR = MC rule to find the firm’s profit-maximizing price and output level. Compare the profit-maximizing price which you find with the above-mentioned $9.25 for answering the related question.

Assignment 2: Operations Decision
Due Week 6 and worth 300 points

 

Using the regression results and the other computations from Assignment 1, determine the market structure in which the low-calorie frozen, microwavable food company operates.

 

Use the Internet to research two (2) of the leading competitors in the low-calorie frozen, microwavable food industry, and take note of their pricing strategies, profitability, and their relationships within the industry (worldwide).

 

Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you:

 

1.      Outline a plan that will assess the effectiveness of the market structure for the company’s operations. Note: In Assignment 1, the assumption was that the market structure [or selling environment] was perfectly competitive and that the equilibrium price was to be determined by setting QD equal to QS. You are now aware of recent changes in the selling environment that suggest an imperfectly competitive market where your firm now has substantial market power in setting its own “optimal” price.

 

2.      Given that business operations have changed from the market structure specified in the original scenario in Assignment 1, determine two (2) likely factors that might have caused the change. Predict the primary manner in which this change would likely impact business operations in the new market environment.

 

3.      Analyze the major short run and long cost functions for the low-calorie, frozen microwaveable food company given the cost functions below. Suggest substantive ways in which the low-calorie food company may use this information in order to make decisions in both the short-run and the long-run.

 

TC = 160+ 10Q + 0.0063Q2
VC = 10Q + 0.0063Q2
MC= 10+ 0.0126Q

 

4.      Determine the possible circumstances under which the company should discontinue operations. Suggest key actions that management should take in order to confront these circumstances. Provide a rationale for your response. (Hint: Your firm’s price must cover average variable costs in the short run and average total costs in the long run to continue operations.)

 

5.      Suggest one (1) pricing policy that will enable your low-calorie, frozen microwavable food company to maximize profits. Provide a rationale for your suggestion.

 

(Hints:

 

·         In Assignment 1, you determined your firm’s market demand equation. Now you need to find the inverse demand equation. Having found that, find the Total Revenue function for your firm (TR is P x Q). From your firm’s Total Revenue function, then find your Marginal Revenue (MR) function.

 

·         Use the profit maximization rule MR = MC to determine your optimal price and optimal output level now that you have market power. Compare these values with the values you generated in Assignment 1. Determine whether your price higher is or lower.)

 

6.      Outline a plan, based on the information provided in the scenario, which the company could use in order to evaluate its financial performance. Consider all the key drivers of performance, such as company profit or loss for both the short term and long term, and the fundamental manner in which each factor influences managerial decisions.

 

(Hints:

 

·         Calculate profit in the short run by using the price and output levels you generated in part 5. Optional: You may want to compare this to what profit would have been in Assignment 1 using the cost function provided here.

 

·         Calculate profit in the long run by using the output level you generated in part 5 and cost data in part 3 and assuming that the selling environment will likely be very competitive. Determine why this would be a valid assumption.)

Recommend two (2) actions that the company could take in order to improve its profitability and deliver more value to its stakeholders. Outline, in brief, a plan to implement your recommendations

 

 

(The information from the first assignment is included below)

 

 

 

Imagine that you work for the maker of a leading brand of low-calorie frozen, microwavable food that estimates the following demand equation for its product using data from 26 supermarkets around the country for the month of April.

 


Estimated Demand Equationè      QD=  – 5200 – 42(P) + 20(Px)+ 0.52( I )+ 0.20(A) + 0.25(M)

 

     Standard Errors of Estimate è               (2.002)  (17.5)    (6.2)       (2.5)        (0.09)      (0.21)
        (for calculating “t-values”

 

                      Other Regression statistics       n = 26     R2 = 0.55      F = 4.88

 

 

 

Note: In the above regression equation, QD is the “dependent variable” and the variables on the right hand side of the equation all are “independent variables.  For a refresher on independent and dependent variables, please go to Sophia’s Website and review the Independent and Dependent Variables tutorial, located at http://www.sophia.org/tutorials/independent-and-dependent-variables–3.

 

 

 

Your supervisor has asked you to compute the elasticities for each independent variable in the above demand equation. Assume the following values for the independent variables:

 

 

 

QD       =          Quantity demanded of 3-pack units for your company’s frozen food

 

P (in dollars)     =          Price of the product = $5 per 3-pack unit

 

Px (in dollars)    =          Price of leading competitor’s product = $6 per 3-pack unit

 

I (in dollars)      =          Per capita income of the standard metropolitan statistical area

 

(SMSA) in which the supermarkets are located = $5,500

 

A (in dollars)     =          Monthly advertising expenditures = $10,000

 

M                     =          Number of microwave ovens sold in the SMSA in which each

 

                                    Supermarket is located = 5,000

 

Writerbay.net

Do you need help with this or a different assignment? We offer CONFIDENTIAL, ORIGINAL (Turnitin/LopesWrite/SafeAssign checks), and PRIVATE services using latest (within 5 years) peer-reviewed articles. Kindly click on ORDER NOW to receive an A++ paper from our masters- and PhD writers.

Get a 15% discount on your order using the following coupon code SAVE15


Order a Similar Paper Order a Different Paper