Economic Systems: Production, Distribution, and Consumption
Goods are all material things taken from nature or produced to satisfy human needs. Examples: Food, cleaning products, or home appliances.
Services are economic activities aimed at satisfying needs that are not directly related to the production of goods. Examples: Paying bus fare or a medical consultation.
Production, Distribution, Consumption
While working, workers are engaged in production. As purchasers of goods and services, they participate in distribution. When consuming these goods and services,
Read MoreThe 1929 Financial Crisis: Global Impact and Aftermath
The 1929 Crisis and Its Causes
Post-War Prosperity and the Seeds of Crisis
Unlike Europe, the United States emerged from World War I significantly stronger. Its economic status shifted from debtor to creditor, it gained new markets domestically and internationally, and established a favorable trade balance. With expanding markets, a growing population, and rapid technological advancements, the U.S. seemed poised for perpetual prosperity.
In the summer of 1928, American banks and investors began diverting
Read MoreProduction Theory: Key Concepts and Applications
Theoretical Support: Production Theory Exercises
1. Production with a Variable Input
The production function shows the maximum output for given inputs. In the short term, at least one input is fixed. Average product of labor (APL) is total product (TP) divided by labor units. Marginal product of labor (MPL) is the change in TP per unit change in labor.
2. Shapes of Product Curves
The shapes of the TP, APL, and MPL curves are related. APL is the slope of the line from the origin to a point on the TP
Read MoreEconomic Variables, Ceteris Paribus, and Equations in Economics
Economic Variables
Economic variables are measurable quantities representing aspects of an economy. They help analyze, predict, and make decisions about economic performance and policies.
Types of Economic Variables
Quantitative and Qualitative
Quantitative: Measured numerically (e.g., income, GDP).
Qualitative: Describe non-numeric characteristics (e.g., consumer preferences).
Endogenous and Exogenous
Endogenous: Determined within the economic model (e.g., price).
Exogenous: Determined outside the model
Read MoreKey Financial Ratios and Accounting Concepts for Business Analysis
Financial Ratios
Solvency
- Availability: Available / Current Liabilities (+ or – 0.2, 0.3). Indicates the company’s ability to cover short-term debt with available assets (expressed as X%).
- Cash (Acid-Test): (Cash + Marketable Securities + Accounts Receivable) / Current Liabilities (+ or – 0.6, 0.7). Shows the ability to cover immediate debts with liquid assets (expressed as X%).
- Liquidity (Current Ratio): Current Assets / Current Liabilities (>1: Positive Working Capital, <1: Negative Working
Marketing Concepts: Market Share, Spokespersons, and Media
Diffusion of Innovations
Hypotheses
Two-Step Hypothesis: Information flows from media to opinion leaders, then to the general public.
Trickle-Down Effect: Initially, products are expensive and only accessible to wealthy consumers. Over time, prices drop, making them available to a broader audience.
Everett Rogers Hypothesis:
- Left Extreme: Some consumers adopt the product immediately.
- Right Extreme: Some consumers are the last to purchase.
Consumers are classified into five groups: Innovators, Early Adopters,
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