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Economies of Scale
Economies of scale refer to a phenomenon whereby the average cost of a product decreases as the volume of production increases. They are often associated with large firms because they are able to realize these economies on account of their large production volumes. Economies of scale provide a competitive advantage to big companies which allows them to offer products at lower prices than smaller rivals. They provide an incentive to grow, allowing firms to expand at an increasingly rapid rate.
Economies of scale arise from two main sources: operational efficiencies and leveraging of common resources. Operational efficiencies are achieved through the automation of operations. By investing in the latest technology and equipment, firms are able to reduce their labor costs and speed up production. They also benefit from localization of production, which allows them to reduce transportation costs. Furthermore, they can provide standardized products at lower costs due to the increased volume of production.
Common resources are resources that are shared by different parts of the company. By pooling resources, firms are able to reduce costs which results in economies of scale. Common resources include shared investments in research and development, brand names, marketing, and advertising. Additionally, through leveraging the company name, goods and services can often be produced more cheaply and efficiently.
One way that firms can take advantage of economies of scale is by diversifying their product range to include goods and services that are complementary to their existing products. By adding products that are closely related to their existing goods, firms are able to distribute their fixed costs among a greater volume of goods and services. In addition, if firms produce complimentary goods and services, they can use their existing resources in a more efficient manner.
Economies of scale are becoming increasingly important in the global economy. They provide an incentive for companies to grow and offer products at lower prices than their smaller rivals. They also allow firms to take advantage of shared resources and diversify their product range. By taking advantage of economies of scale, firms are able to penetrate new markets and compete even more effectively.