Question
A firm is considering whether to introduce a new product. No other firms are considering producing the product. The product costs F to introduce and
A firm is considering whether to introduce a new product. No other firms are considering producing the product. The product costs F to introduce and can be produced at zero marginal cost once the firm has spent F. If the firm introduces the product, it must charge the same per-unit price to all customers. The demand for the product is D(p) = 10 - p where p is price.
a.(10 pts) Are there values of F such that the firm would not introduce the product even though it would be socially optimal to have the product produced? If not, explain. If so, what are the values of F such that the firm does not introduce the product when a social planner would?
b.(10 pts) Consider the following extension of the problem. Suppose that the buyer is a single customer, e.g., a big downstream producer that earns surplus by selling in a final market (although you do not need to analyze activities in the final market to answer this question). Suppose the seller can charge the buyer a fixed fee K in addition to a per unit price p. In this case, are there values of the fixed cost F such that the seller will fail to introduce the product when it would be socially optimal to do so? Explain your answer with reference to the concepts of "business stealing" and "incomplete appropriation."
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