This document provides an overview of micro and managerial economics. It defines economics as dealing with how entities allocate scarce resources to satisfy unlimited wants. Managerial economics uses economic theory and analysis to help organizations achieve objectives efficiently. It discusses key economic concepts like the objective of profit maximization for firms, constrained optimization, alternative theories of the firm, the role of profits, and business ethics. The changing global and technological environment is also noted as important for managerial decision-making.

1. Micro & Managerial Economics
(ECO404)

2. Basic Concept of Economics
“A field of study that deals with how individual and collective
entities efficiently allocate scarce rources to satisfy their
unlimited wants is called economics.”
Individual Entities:
A person, firm, producer, consumer, product etc.
Collective Entities:
An Industry or group of firms, group of producers, group of
products, group of consumer, a society, a state etc.

3. Different Definitions of Economics
Three basic school of thoughts.
• Classical Economics:
“Economics is a science of wealth”
• Neo-Classical Economics:
• “Economics is a science of material welfare”
• Modern Economics:
“Economics is a human science”

4. Managarial Economics
“Managerial economics refers to the
use of economic theory and the tools
of analysis of decision science to
examine how an organi­zation can
achieve its aims and objectives most
efficiently.”

5. Managerial Decision Problems
Economic theory
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Decision Sciences
Mathematical Economics
Econometrics
MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS
Application of economic theory
and decision science tools to solve
managerial decision problems
OPTIMAL SOLUTIONS TO
MANAGERIAL DECISION PROBLEMS

6. Economic Theory:
Economic theory refers to microeconomics
andmacroeconomics.
Microeconomics:
ME is the study of the
economic
behavior
of
individual decision making
units such as individual
consumers, resource owners,
and business firms in a freeenterprise system.
Macroeconomics
Macroeconomics is the
study of total, or aggregate,
output,income,employmen,
consumption, investment,
and prices of the economy
viewed as a whole.

7. Decision Science:
Decision Science refere to the application of the tools of
mathematical economics and econometrics.
Math..Economics
Mathematical economics
is used to formalize the
economic
models
postulated by economic
theory.
Econometrics
Econometrics
applies
statistical tools (primarily
regression analysis) to
real-world data to estimate
the models postulated by
economic theory and for
forecasting.

8. Example
• Economic theory postulates that the quantity demanded of a
commodity (Q) is a function of, or depends on, the price of the commodity
(P), the income of consumers (Y), and the prices of related (i.e.,
complementary and substitute) commodities (Pc and Ps, respectively).
•
Assuming constant tastes, we may postulate the following formal
(mathematical) model: Q = f(P, Y, P, P)
•
Collecting data on Q, P, Y, Pc, and Ps for a particular commodity, we can
then estimate the empirical (econometric) relationship
•
This will permit the firm to determine how much Q would change as a
result of a change in P, Y, Pc, and P, and to forecast the future demand for
the commodity. These steps are essential in order for management to
achieve the goal. or objective. of the firm (profit maximization) most
efficiently.

9. Theory of Firm
Firms exist because the economies they generate in production and
distribution confer great benefits to entre-preneurs, workers, and other
resource owners.
Objective of the Firm:
• Combines and organizes resources for the
purpose of producing goods and/or services for
sale.
• Internalizes transactions, reducing transactions
costs.
• Primary goal is to maximize the wealth or
value of the firm.

10. Theory of Firm (Cont…
The theory of the firm postulates that the primary goal, or
objective, of the firm is to maximize wealth or the value of the
firm. This is given by the present value of the expected future
profits of the firm. Formally,
The present value of all expected future profits
n
π1
π2
πn
πt
PV =
+
+L+
=∑
1
2
n
(1 + r ) (1 + r )
(1 + r )
(1 + r )t
t =1
n
πt
TRt − TCt
Value of Firm = ∑
=∑
t
(1 + r ) t =1 (1 + r )t
t =1
n

11. Constrained Optimization
• Managerial decisions are often made in light of
constraints imposed by technology, resource scarcity,
contractual obligations, laws, and regulations. To make
decisions that maximize value, managers must consider
how constraints affect their ability to achieve organization
objectives.
• So, optimal use of resources subject to internal or
external constraint facing a firm to maximize its value or
wealth is called constrained optimization

12. Alternative Theories
• Sales maximization
– Adequate rate of profit
• Management utility maximization
– Principle-agent problem
• Satisficing behavior

13. Definitions of Profit
• Business Profit: Total revenue minus the explicit or
accounting costs of production.
• Economic Profit: Total revenue minus the explicit
and implicit costs of production.
• Explicit costs are the actual out-of-pocket
expenditures of the firm to hire labor, borrow capital,
rent land and buildings, and purchase raw materials.
• Implicit costs are the money values of the inputs
owned and used by the firm in its own production
processes.

14. Theories of Profit
•
•
•
•
•
Risk-Bearing Theories of Profit
Frictional Theory of Profit
Monopoly Theory of Profit
Innovation Theory of Profit
Managerial Efficiency Theory of Profit

15. Function of Profit
• Profit is a signal that guides the allocation
of society’s resources.
• High profits in an industry are a signal that
buyers want more of what the industry
produces.
• Low (or negative) profits in an industry are
a signal that buyers want less of what the
industry produces.

16. Business Ethics
• Identifies types of behavior that
businesses and their employees should
not engage in.
• Source of guidance that goes beyond
enforceable laws.

17. The Changing Environment of
Managerial Economics
• Globalization of Economic Activity
– Goods and Services
– Capital
– Technology
– Skilled Labor
• Technological Change
– Telecommunications Advances
– The Internet and the World Wide Web