Final answer:
The quantity standard for direct labor, per unit of a given product, is determined by the demand for labor, which is the marginal product of labor multiplied by the value of that output to the firm. Factors such as technology advancements and changes in production methods can affect the quantity standard for direct labor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quantity standard for direct labor, per unit of a given product, is a function of the demand for labor. The demand for labor is determined by the marginal product of labor multiplied by the value of that output to the firm. In other words, it depends on how much additional output is produced by employing one more unit of labor, and how valuable that output is to the firm.
For example, if a typist can type more pages per hour with an electric typewriter than a manual typewriter, the demand for labor would be higher with an electric typewriter. Similarly, if a ditch digger can dig more cubic feet of dirt in an hour with a backhoe than with a shovel, the demand for labor would be higher with a backhoe.
The quantity standard for direct labor can be affected by various factors such as technological advancements, changes in equipment or tools, and changes in production methods.