Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Economy

Minimum Level or Safety Stock

The minimum level is the minimum quantity of the material which must be maintained in hand at all times. The quantity is fixed so that the production is not held up due to shortage of the materials. In fixing this level, the following factors should be considered:

• Lead time i.e. time lag between indenting and receiving of the material. It is the time required to replenish the supply.
• Rate of consumption of the material during the lead time.
• Nature of the material. Minimum level is not required in case of a special material which is required against customer’s specific order.

Maximum Stock Level

It is the maximum of stock which should be held in stock at any time during the year. The quantity is fixed so as to avoid... Continue reading "Inventory Management Techniques and Time-Keeping Methods" »

Network Industries

For almost a century, network industries were organized as state monopolies. Because of the importance of these industries from general viewpoints, governments believed it was essential to consolidate them in one firm due to strategic economic and political reasons. Consumer organizations started to complain about the poor performance of public monopolies; they claimed that competition was the best way to induce better prices, improve quality of service, and stimulate innovation.

Natural Monopoly is a type of monopoly that exists as a result of the high fixed or startup costs of operating a business. Universal Service Obligation (USO) refers to a service provided to everyone irrespective of their location at an affordable rate... Continue reading "Understanding Network Industries and Their Evolution" »

CHAPTER 14: Material Requirements Planning (MRP)

Independent vs. Dependent Demand

Independent Demand

Finished goods, such as computers, have independent demand, meaning their demand is uncertain and influenced by external factors.

Dependent Demand

Components of finished products, like computer parts, have dependent demand, meaning their demand is certain and directly related to the demand for the finished product.

What is Material Requirements Planning (MRP)?

Material Requirements Planning (MRP) is a dependent demand technique that uses a bill-of-material, inventory data, expected receipts, and a master production schedule to determine the materials and components needed to produce finished goods.

Benefits of MRP

• Better response to customer orders
• Faster

1- Intermediaries: Buy products from manufacturers and resell them to consumers.

Import Quota Effects

3) An import quota will increase producer surplus, decrease consumer surplus, have no effect on government revenue, and have an ambiguous effect on overall domestic national welfare.

C) increase; decrease; have no effect on; have an ambiguous effect on

Voluntary Export Restraint Effects

4) A voluntary export restraint will increase producer surplus, decrease consumer surplus, have no effect on government revenue, and decrease overall domestic national welfare.

D) increase; decrease; have no effect on; decrease

Export Tariff Effects with Imperfect Competition

1) If an import-competing firm is imperfectly competitive, then under free trade an export tariff will increase domestic market price, have no effect on producer surplus,

Three Types of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Foreign Direct Investment can be categorized into three main types:

• Market Seeking: FDI is driven by the desire to be closer to customers. Proximity reduces transportation costs and potentially tariffs. Firms weigh the benefits of FDI against exporting, where production is concentrated in one location.
• Efficiency Seeking: Upstream and downstream products are manufactured in different locations, leveraging factor intensity and factor prices. This strategy aims to optimize production costs.
• Resource Seeking: FDI provides access to scarce resources. Output from resource-seeking FDI is seldom sold in the host country market.

Consequences of FDI for Host Countries

FDI can have several effects on host countries,... Continue reading "Foreign Direct Investment, Trade Theories, Barriers" »

Assignment 5

Macroindicators

Goods and services – GDP, Labor – Unemployment, Capital – Inflation.

Mercantilism

Based on the principle that the world's wealth was static, nations attempted to accumulate the largest possible share of that wealth by maximizing their exports and by limiting their imports via tariffs.

WTO

International institution that oversees global trade rules among nations.

HeckscherOhlin Model

Evaluates the equilibrium of trade between two countries with varying specialties and natural resources.

Leontief Paradox

Capital-abundant countries export labor-intensive goods and labor-abundant countries export capital-intensive goods.

GDP

Monetary value of all finished goods and services made within a country during a specific period.

Inflation

Rate... Continue reading "Understanding Global Economics: Trade, Currency, and Development" »

Intuition Building and Motivation for Demand Forecasting

• What is Forecasting?
  • The act of predicting future events.
  • "All supply chain decisions made before demand has materialized are made to a forecast."
• How does it apply to Disneyland?
  • Serves as the analytical foundation for operations planning at the Resort.
  • Used by labor management, maintenance, operations, finance, and park scheduling.
  • Used to adjust opening times, rides, shows, staffing levels, and guests admitted.

Quantitative Approaches to Demand Forecasting

• What is a Sales/Demand Forecast?
  • An estimate of the level of sales you expect to achieve as a function of time.
  • Serves as the basis for supply chain decisions.
• What are the characteristics of forecasts?
  • Forecasts are always wrong/inaccurate and

C. Placement: Where to Distribute the Product

When a firm produces a narrow assortment of products in large quantities, intermediaries play a crucial role in matching supply and demand. They achieve this by purchasing large quantities from producers and breaking them down into a broader assortment of smaller quantities to meet consumer demand for variety and convenience.

Distribution Channel

A distribution channel is a network of interdependent organizations that collaborate to make a product or service accessible for use or consumption by consumers or businesses.

Functions of Channel Members:

1. Information: Gathering and distributing information about consumers, producers, and market forces to facilitate planning and exchange.
2. Promotion: Developing