MONOPOLY, SHUTDOWN: A monopoly is presumed to produce the quantity of output that minimizes economic loss, if price is greater than average variable cost but less than average total cost. This is one of three short-run production alternatives facing a firm. The other two are profit maximization (if price exceeds average total cost) and loss minimization (if price is greater than average variable cost but less than average total cost).A monopoly guided by the pursuit of profit is inclined to produce no output if the quantity that equates marginal revenue and marginal cost in the short run incurs an economic loss greater than total fixed cost. The key to this shutdown production decision is a comparison of the loss incurred from producing with the loss incurred from not producing. If price is less than average variable cost, then the firm incurs a smaller loss by not producing than by producing. One of Three Alternatives
Amblathan-Plus ProductionThe marginal approach to analyzing a monopoly's short-run production decision can be used to identify the economic loss alternative. The exhibit displayed here illustrates the short-run production decision by Feet-First Pharmaceutical, the monopoly producer of Amblathan-Plus, the only cure for the deadly (but hypothetical) foot ailment known as amblathanitis.
For the time being, Feet-First Pharmaceutical maximizes profit by producing 6 ounces of Amblathan-Plus and charges a price of $7.50. This profit-maximizing situation depends on the existing market demand conditions. However, should this demand change, then maximizing a positive profit is not the primary concern of Feet-First Pharmaceutical. Its decision turns to minimizing loss. Click the [Less Demand] button to illustrate the situation facing Feet-First Pharmaceutical with a decrease in demand. As the demand shifts leftward, the marginal revenue curve also shifts leftward. The new profit-maximizing intersection between marginal cost and marginal revenue is at 2 ounces of Amblathan-Plus. The price Feet-First Pharmaceutical charges for this quantity of production is then $5.50. The key is that this new, lower price is less than average variable cost. This means that Feet-First Pharmaceutical does not generate enough revenue per ounce of Amblathan-Plus sold (average revenue = $5.50) to cover the variable cost of producing each ounce of Amblathan-Plus (average variable cost = $6), let alone total cost (average total cost = $11). Feet-First Pharmaceutical clearly incurs an economic loss on each ounce of Amblathan-Plus produced and sold. In fact, if Feet-First Pharmaceutical produces 2 ounces of Amblathan-Plus, then its total cost is $22, but its total revenue is only $11. It incurs an economic loss of $11, a loss of $5.50 per ounce produced. The Short-Run ChoicePerhaps Feet-First Pharmaceutical should stop producing. Perhaps it would be better off by NOT selling Amblathan-Plus. Unfortunately, Feet-First Pharmaceutical is faced with short-run fixed cost. Feet-First Pharmaceutical incurs a total fixed cost of $10 whether or not it engages in any short-run production. Even if it shuts down production, it still must pay this $10 of fixed cost.As such, Feet-First Pharmaceutical is faced with a comparison between the loss incurred from producing with the loss incurred from not producing. Those are its two short-run choices. If it produces, it incurs a loss of $11. If it does not produce, it incurs a loss of $10. The choice seems relatively obvious: Feet-First Pharmaceutical is better off not producing any Amblathan-Plus, incurring an economic loss of $10, and hoping for an increase in the demand. Should it produce any Amblathan-Plus, it incurs a greater loss than just paying total fixed cost. Feet-First Pharmaceutical does not produce in the short run because it does not generate enough revenue to pay its variable cost, let alone any part of fixed cost. By producing 2 ounces of Amblathan-Plus, it generates $11 of total revenue. This revenue not only falls short of covering the $22 of total cost, neither is it enough to pay the $12 of total variable cost. This is why the economic loss from production is greater than total fixed cost. Even though Feet-First Pharmaceutical has complete control of the supply-side of the market, it is still subject to the whims of the demand-side of the market. This $5.50 Amblathan-Plus price does not generate sufficient total revenue for Feet-First Pharmaceutical to pay ALL variable cost, let alone fixed cost. However, should demand change, then Feet-First Pharmaceutical would have to reevaluate its production decision. If the demand increases enough, Feet-First Pharmaceutical will be able to produce Amblathan-Plus in the short run. Check Out These Related Terms... | monopoly, profit maximization | monopoly, loss minimization | monopoly, short-run supply curve | short-run production alternatives | breakeven output | Or For A Little Background... | loss minimization rule | shutdown rule | profit maximization | average total cost curve | average revenue curve | profit | economic profit | monopoly | monopoly, characteristics | U-shaped cost curves | profit maximization | And For Further Study... | monopoly, demand | monopoly, short-run production analysis | monopoly, long-run production analysis | monopoly, efficiency | monopoly, total analysis | monopoly, marginal analysis | monopoly, profit analysis | long run industry supply curve | perfect competition, shutdown | Recommended Citation: MONOPOLY, SHUTDOWN, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2025. [Accessed: December 16, 2025]. | ||||||||||||
