key term - Long-run

Definition

The long-run is a period in economics where all factors of production and costs are variable, allowing firms to adjust their inputs fully. In this timeframe, firms can enter or exit the market, leading to adjustments in supply and demand that help reach equilibrium. This concept is crucial for understanding how firms respond to market changes over time, especially regarding pricing and competition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the long-run, firms can vary all input factors, including labor and capital, unlike in the short-run where some inputs remain constant.
2. The long-run allows for the adjustment of production levels and costs, leading firms to achieve optimum efficiency.
3. Long-run price elasticity of supply tends to be more elastic than short-run elasticity because firms have more time to respond to changes in market conditions.
4. In a perfectly competitive market, the long-run equilibrium occurs when firms earn zero economic profit, meaning total revenue equals total costs.
5. Factors like technology advancements or changes in resource availability can shift the long-run supply curve, affecting market dynamics.

Review Questions

• How does the long-run differ from the short-run in terms of production capabilities for a firm?
  • The long-run differs significantly from the short-run because, in the long-run, all factors of production can be adjusted. This means that firms have the flexibility to change their capital and labor inputs based on market conditions. In contrast, the short-run has fixed inputs that restrict how much a firm can alter its output. Thus, while short-run decisions may lead to temporary adjustments in production, only long-run planning allows firms to optimize efficiency and scale.
• What impact does the concept of long-run have on pricing strategies in perfectly competitive markets?
  • In perfectly competitive markets, the long-run significantly influences pricing strategies as firms adjust their outputs to achieve zero economic profit. When new firms enter due to profitable opportunities, the increased supply drives prices down until they equal average total costs. This dynamic means that firms cannot sustain profits in the long run; instead, they focus on minimizing costs and maintaining competitiveness through efficiency improvements.
• Evaluate how shifts in technology affect long-run supply curves and overall market dynamics.
  • Shifts in technology can dramatically influence long-run supply curves by changing production processes and efficiency levels. For instance, an advancement in technology may lower production costs for firms, leading to an outward shift in the supply curve as firms can produce more at lower prices. This shift impacts overall market dynamics by increasing supply relative to demand, potentially lowering market prices and encouraging more consumption. As a result, technological changes not only enhance productivity but also reshape competitive landscapes within industries.

Related terms

Short-run:

A time period in which at least one factor of production is fixed, limiting a firm's ability to change output levels.

Economies of Scale:

Cost advantages that firms experience as they increase their level of production, resulting in lower per-unit costs.

Market Equilibrium:

The point where the quantity of a good supplied equals the quantity demanded, often influenced by long-run adjustments in supply and demand.