Labor costs represent a large percentage of total costs for many firms. According to a July 29, 2011, Wall Street Journal article, U.S. labor costs were up 0.7% during the second quarter of 2011, compared to the first quarter of 2011.
a. When labor costs increase, what happens to average total cost and marginal cost? Consider a case in which labor costs are only variable costs and a case in which they are both variable and fixed costs.
An increase in labor productivity means each worker can produce more output.
Recent data on productivity show that labor productivity in the U.S. nonfarm business sector grew by 1.7% between 1970 and 1999, by 2.6% between 2000 and 2010, and by 4.1% in 2010.
b. When productivity growth is positive, what happens to the total product curve and the marginal product of labor curve? Illustrate your answer with a diagram.
c. When productivity growth is positive, what happens to the marginal cost curve and the average total cost curve? Illustrate your answer with a diagram.
d. If labor costs are rising over time on average, why would a company want to adopt equipment and methods that increase labor productivity?