Published On:Thursday, 8 December 2011
Posted by Muhammad Atif Saeed
Price Elasticity of Supply
| In this chapter we consider elasticity of supply. Students should understand how to calculate elasticity of supply and understand some of the factors that influence the elasticity of supply for different products. Definition of price elasticity of supply Price elasticity of supply measures the relationship between change in quantity supplied and a change in price. If supply is elastic, producers can increase output without a rise in cost or a time delay If supply is inelastic, firms find it hard to change production in a given time period. The formula for price elasticity of supply is: Percentage change in quantity supplied divided by the percentage change in price
(1) Spare production capacity If there is plenty of spare capacity then a business should be able to increase its output without a rise in costs and therefore supply will be elastic in response to a change in demand. The supply of goods and services is often most elastic in a recession, when there is plenty of spare labour and capital resources available to step up output as the economy recovers. (2) Stocks of finished products and components If stocks of raw materials and finished products are at a high level then a firm is able to respond to a change in demand quickly by supplying these stocks onto the market - supply will be elastic. Conversely when stocks are low, dwindling supplies force prices higher and unless stocks can be replenished, supply will be inelastic in response to a change in demand. (3) The ease and cost of factor substitution If both capital and labour resources are occupationally mobile then the elasticity of supply for a product is higher than if capital and labour cannot easily and quickly be switched (4) Time period involved in the production process Supply is more price elastic the longer the time period that a firm is allowed to adjust its production levels. In some agricultural markets for example, the momentary supply is fixed and is determined mainly by planting decisions made months before, and also climatic conditions, which affect the overall production yield.
Supply curves with different price elasticity of supply  The non-linear supply curve A non linear supply curve has a changing price elasticity of supply throughout its length. This is illustrated in the diagram below.  Useful applications of price elasticity of demand and supply Elasticity of demand and supply is tested in virtually every area of the AS economics syllabus. The key is to understand the various factors that determine the responsiveness of consumers and producers to changes in price. The elasticity will affect the ways in which price and output will change in a market. And elasticity is also significant in determining some of the effects of changes in government policy when the state chooses to intervene in the price mechanism. Some relevant issues that directly use elasticity of demand and supply include:
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| Author: Geoff Riley, Eton College, September 2006 | |||||
