What factors contribute to an elastic supply?

Economics Elasticity Of Supply Questions



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What factors contribute to an elastic supply?

There are several factors that contribute to an elastic supply:

1. Availability of inputs: If there is a wide range of inputs available for production, it is easier for suppliers to increase or decrease their production levels in response to changes in price.

2. Time period: In the long run, suppliers have more flexibility to adjust their production levels compared to the short run. Therefore, the supply tends to be more elastic in the long run.

3. Spare production capacity: If suppliers have excess production capacity, they can quickly increase their output without incurring significant additional costs. This allows for a more elastic supply.

4. Ease of production: If the production process is relatively simple and requires less specialized equipment or skills, suppliers can easily adjust their production levels, leading to a more elastic supply.

5. Availability of substitutes: If there are readily available substitutes for the product being supplied, suppliers may face more competition and be more responsive to changes in price, resulting in a more elastic supply.

6. Level of inventories: If suppliers have high levels of inventories, they can quickly respond to changes in demand by adjusting the amount of product they release into the market, leading to a more elastic supply.

Overall, these factors contribute to a more elastic supply by allowing suppliers to adjust their production levels more easily in response to changes in price or demand.