Which Of The Following Is A Monopoly? A Pizza Delivery?
Which Of The Following Is A Monopolya Pizza Deliveryb A Local Co
Identify the core questions: Choose which entities are monopolies, firms in perfectly competitive markets, compare market types, explain long-term price and cost relationships, analyze demand curves, and identify competitive scenarios like monopolistic competition. Also, analyze an advertising slogan's implications, differentiate market structures, and evaluate incentives related to quality control. Additionally, correct discourteous or vague sentences and compose a business letter, revise a resume, and select scenarios applying economic principles.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Understanding market structures is fundamental in economics, as they determine how firms behave, set prices, and compete. This paper explores various aspects of market types including monopoly, perfect competition, monopolistic competition, and their characteristics, along with analysis of advertising strategies, incentives, and professional communication within business contexts.
Monopoly and Perfect Competition
A monopoly exists when a single firm dominates the entire market with no close substitutes, allowing it to set prices unilaterally. Based on the options provided, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) qualifies as a monopoly because it is a large electricity producer serving multiple states, and significant barriers prevent new entrants (Rosen & Gayer, 2012). The TVA's dominant control over regional electricity supply exemplifies monopoly power due to its unique service and regulatory environment, distinguishing it from more competitive or segmented markets.
Conversely, a firm in a perfectly competitive market is characterized by numerous small firms selling identical products, with no single firm able to influence market prices. Among the options, a local corn farmer best fits this description because the agricultural market for corn is highly competitive, with low barriers to entry (Mankiw, 2014). Farmers are price takers, facing a downward-sloping market demand curve, and their individual output decisions do not affect market prices.
Market Structures: Comparing Perfect Competition and Monopolistic Competition
In a monopolistically competitive market, firms sell differentiated products, enabling them to charge a markup above marginal cost. The markup charged by such firms is greater than in perfect competition because product differentiation grants market power (Perloff, 2012). The excess capacity in monopolistically competitive markets reflects underutilized resources due to the downward-sloping demand curve faced by individual firms. It is typically greater than in perfect competition, which operates at maximum efficiency with firms producing at minimum average costs (Tirole, 1988).
Market efficiency is also affected; monopolistically competitive markets are less efficient because of differentiated products and excess capacity, leading to a deadweight loss. Compared to perfect competition, they generate higher prices and lower output levels, which reduces overall economic efficiency (Baumol & Blinder, 2015).
Price and Marginal Cost in Market Types
In the long run, perfect competition ensures prices equal marginal costs, maximizing allocative efficiency (Mankiw, 2014). In monopolistically competitive markets, however, price remains above marginal cost because of product differentiation and market power. The key reason is that firms face downward-sloping demand curves, allowing them to set prices higher than marginal costs without losing all customers. This leads to a trade-off between higher prices and lower output, and results in less efficient resource allocation.
Therefore, in the long run, the price in monopolistically competitive markets exceeds marginal cost, although both markets tend toward this equilibrium as firms enter or exit (Perloff, 2012). The primary difference hinges on the degree of product differentiation and market power, which sustains higher prices in monopolistic competition.
Demand Curves and Long-Run Equilibrium
The demand curve compatible with zero economic profit for a monopolistic competitor reflects a situation where the firm’s average total cost (ATC) curve just touches the demand curve at the profit-maximizing quantity. Among the options, the demand curve labeled D3 is consistent with this condition, as it indicates a long-run equilibrium where firms earn normal profits, and there are no incentives for entry or exit (Tirole, 1988).
Advertising and Product Differentiation
Titleist’s advertising slogan "The #1 ball in golf" suggests strong brand recognition and product differentiation, giving Titleist more market power than generic golf ball manufacturers, who do not advertise. Since both produce at similar average total costs, Titleist’s effective branding allows it to maintain higher prices and demand for its branded product, reinforcing the importance of advertising in sustaining product differentiation and market power (Keller, 2013).
Incentives for Quality Control
The manufacturer with the stronger incentive to maintain quality is Titleist because its brand reputation directly impacts consumer perception and demand. Maintaining high standards preserves its market position and allows for premium pricing (Levitt, 1983). Generic golf ball manufacturers, lacking brand differentiation and relying on low prices, have weaker incentives for rigorous quality control, as their market depends less on consumer perception and more on price competition.
Identifying Monopolistic Competition
Among the options, pizza delivery and a grocery store are typical examples of monopolistic competitors because they sell similar but differentiated products, face many competitors, and have some market power. The Tennessee Valley Authority and a local corn farmer are not, due to their market dominance or farm-level operations, respectively. Kate Spade, a fashion designer, also fits as a monopolistic competitor due to product differentiation and branding.
Business Communication and Resume Enhancement
Revised Courteous Sentences:
A. It appears there is an issue at your head office regarding order processing; I received the wrong model number again. Could you please look into this matter?
B. My instructor has assigned me a term paper on safety regulations at small plants. As the manager of such a plant, I would appreciate your assistance in providing relevant information.
C. I am concerned that there may be room for improvement in your business practices to better serve the public.
D. Could you kindly provide the contact information for the local chapter president, if available?
E. I have been waiting for my confirmation for two weeks. Could you please let me know if further action is expected?
F. We regret to inform you that we cannot honor your request at this time.
G. May I take a moment to inform you about upcoming changes to our hours, hoping it will not cause you significant inconvenience.
H. Your application has been received and will be kept on file for six months; we will contact you if we need further information.
I. My previous performance as a medical technologist was satisfactory.
J. Credit is important to many; please send the outstanding amount of $249.95 owed to us three months ago.
Business Letter Example:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Email Address]
[Date]
Director of Food Services
[Campus Name]
[Campus Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
Dear Director of Food Services,
I am writing to propose the addition of more healthy meal options to the campus food services menu. As a dedicated student and member of the campus community, I have observed a growing demand for nutritious and health-conscious meal choices among students. Incorporating more healthy options, such as salads, whole-grain sandwiches, and fruit-based desserts, would not only promote healthier lifestyles but also align with current nutritional trends and research indicating the benefits of balanced diets (WHO, 2020). I believe that expanding the menu to include more of these choices will enhance student satisfaction and well-being, thereby fostering a healthier campus environment.
Thank you for considering this request. I am happy to discuss further or assist in gathering input from fellow students to support this initiative.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Revised Resume:
Powell T. Harrison
8604 So. Kirkpatrick, Ardville, Ohio
email@example.com
Objective:
Seeking a well-paying position with a progressive company where I can utilize my skills in architecture, system planning, and design development to contribute to innovative projects.
Education:
- Will receive a degree from Central Tech Institute in Architecture.
- Achieved a high academic average last semester.
- Relevant coursework includes systems, planning, and design development.
- Attended Ardville High School; completed all necessary courses, actively participated in student committees.
Experience:
- No formal full-time experience; however, I completed multiple part-time jobs and a two-month student apprenticeship at a local firm, gaining practical exposure to architectural practices.
Hobbies:
- Surfing the internet
- Playing Nintendo DSi
- Member of Junior Achievement
References:
Available upon request.
References
- Rosen, H. S., & Gayer, T. (2012). Public Finance. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Mankiw, N. G. (2014). Principles of Economics. Cengage Learning.
- Perloff, J. M. (2012). Microeconomics. Pearson.
- Tirole, J. (1988). The Theory of Industrial Organization. MIT Press.
- Baumol, W. J., & Blinder, A. S. (2015). Microeconomics: Principles and Policy. Cengage Learning.
- Keller, K. L. (2013). Strategic Brand Management. Pearson.
- Levitt, T. (1983). The Power of Advertising. Harvard Business Review.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Healthy Diet. WHO Publications.
- Additional scholarly articles on market structures and advertising strategies.
- Further references on business communication and resume writing best practices.