How it can be possible for increases in the minimum wage, Microeconomics

Assignment Help:

The minimum wage was increased in 1996 amid cries by various economists that it would cause unemployment. Critics shown that the last time the minimum wage went up the similar dire predictions from economists were made, but more people were employed after the minimum wage increase. The similar, they argued, would occur again. Using isoquant-isocost analysis, analyze this situation and illustrate how it can be possible for increases in the minimum wage to have little impact on employment levels.

ANSWER:  The confusion arises over what the minimum wage increase could do in the short run versus  the long run. In the short run, capital is assumed to be fixed. As a result, the firm probably could continue to employ the same number of individuals as before the wage increase until the relatively cheaper capital would be obtained to substitute for the relatively more expensive labor. In the interim, if the demand for the  roduct increased, the firm might find it profitable to expand output and therefore hire more capital and more labor. In the isoquant-isocost graph below, the firm is initially at point A. If the price of labor increases, the budget line pivots in to line BB´. To maintain production at the similar level as before, the firm must increase its budget allocation to allow it to return to point A. This is the optimum position in the results and short run in no decrease in the employment level. Thus, in the long run the firm will move toward point C as capital becomes available. If demand increases warrant a move to isoquant II, then it is seems that more labor  and more capital will be employed even though the price of labor increases.

2392_How it can be possible for increases in the minimum wage.png


Related Discussions:- How it can be possible for increases in the minimum wage

Demand, #questASSIGNMENT #1 The demand function for Product X is given by: ...

#questASSIGNMENT #1 The demand function for Product X is given by: Qdx = 80- 2Px- 0.05P²x -0.2Py + 4Pz + 0.01I+ 2A Where: Px Price of good X $120.00 Py Price of related good y $100

Demand Supply, Ask qIf the supply and demand curves for labor are represent...

Ask qIf the supply and demand curves for labor are represented by the following equations: Wd= -- (1/100)Ld + 30 Ws= (1/200)Ls Ws=Wd Ld=Ld a. Graph the results and show the equili

Growth of regional financial institutions, GROWTH OF REGIONAL FINANCIAL INS...

GROWTH OF REGIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: We find many levels of groupings of nations in the international arena. Groups of countries that share borders often have semi-perma

Perfect competition in labor markets, the existance of a labor marketcharac...

the existance of a labor marketcharacterised by perfect competition is a fallacy.discuss

Creating mobile telephone infrastructure, Creating Mobile Telephone Infrast...

Creating Mobile Telephone Infrastructure: The second concept of subsidising the telecom infrastructure required for providing services in rural and remote areas is designed to

Explain socio economic development, Question 1: The socio economic deve...

Question 1: The socio economic development of Mauritius has been marked by growth cycles, representing different approaches adopted by Government to meet the internal as well

Define shortages occur when price controls are in effect, Why is it true th...

Why is it true that shortages usually occur mainly when price controls are in effect? In the nonexistence of price controls the shortage generally goes away quickly because price

Explain the assumptions of a perfectly competitive market, Question 1: ...

Question 1: i) Elaborate on how CPI is used to calculate inflation and what are the limitations of such a measure? ii) Growth is always beneficial. Discuss iii) Explain

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd