You Have Been Hired to Replace the Manager of a Firm

question 132

Essay

You have been hired to replace the manager of a firm that used only two inputs, capital and labor, to produce output. The firm can hire as much labor as it wants at a wage of $5 per hour and can rent as much capital as it wants at a price of $50 per hour. After you look at the company books, you learn that the company has been using capital and labor in amounts that imply a marginal product of labor of 50 and a marginal product of capital of 100. Do you know why the firm hired you? Explain.

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Definitions:

Tripartite Board

A governing or advisory board composed of representatives from three distinct groups, often referring to government, employers, and labor unions.

Labor Disputes

Conflicts between employees and employers regarding working conditions, wages, contracts, and other employment issues.

General Motors

An American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes vehicles and vehicle parts.

Sit-Down Strike

A form of protest where workers physically occupy their place of employment without working, thereby halting production as a bargaining strategy.