Question

The productivity of labor in a firm has decreased due to the recent retirement of many of the firm’s most skilled workers. Assuming that the firm is a profit maximizer in a perfectly competitive situation, the firm will:

I. Increase the average wage.
II. Decrease the average wage.
III. Reduce the number of worker-hours it hires.
IV. Hire additional labor.
V. Increase the number of worker-hours it hires.

a. Statement I only.
b. Statement IV only.
c. Statements I and V only.
d. Statements II and III only.
e. Statement V only.

Answer 1

Answer: The correct answer is "d. Statements II and III only.".

Explanation: Assuming that the firm is a profit maximizer in a perfectly competitive situation, the firm will:

- II. Decrease the average wage.

- III. Reduce the number of worker-hours it hires.