📚 Learning Guide
Labor Productivity and Decision-Making
medium

If a firm observes that hiring an additional worker results in a decrease in its overall productivity, what might be the underlying cause of this effect?

Master this concept with our detailed explanation and step-by-step learning approach

Learning Path
Learning Path

Question & Answer
1
Understand Question
2
Review Options
3
Learn Explanation
4
Explore Topic

Choose the Best Answer

A

The marginal revenue product of labor exceeds the cost of hiring

B

Diminishing returns to labor are setting in

C

The firm is operating in a perfectly competitive market

D

The additional worker has specialized skills that are underutilized

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When a firm hires an additional worker but sees a drop in overall productivity, it could be due to several factors. One reason might be that the workspace becomes crowded, making it harder for everyone to work efficiently. For example, if a factory has limited machines, adding more workers could lead to waiting times instead of increased output. Another possibility is that the new worker might need time to train and adapt, which can temporarily slow down the team's productivity. Lastly, if the tasks are not well organized, too many workers might lead to confusion and overlap in duties, reducing overall effectiveness.

Detailed Explanation

When more workers are added, they may get in each other's way. Other options are incorrect because Some might think that if a worker brings in more money than they cost, it’s always good; People may believe that being in a competitive market means every worker helps.

Key Concepts

Marginal Revenue Product of Labor (MRPL)
Diminishing Returns to Labor
Labor Supply and Demand
Topic

Labor Productivity and Decision-Making

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

Ready to Master More Topics?

Join thousands of students using Seekh's interactive learning platform to excel in their studies with personalized practice and detailed explanations.