Question

Suppose that the marginal cost of an additional ton of steel produced by Japanese firm is the same whether the steel is set aside for domestic use or exported abroad. Suppose that this firm is a pure monopolist both in Japan as well as in abroad. If the price elasticity of demand for steel is smaller abroad than it is in Japan, which of the following will be correct?

a. the Japanese firm will sell more steel abroad than they will sell in Japan.
b. the Japanese firm will sell more steel in Japan than they will sell abroad.
c. the Japanese firm will sell steel at a lower price abroad than at home.
d. the Japanese firm will sell steel at a higher price abroad than at home.
e. None of the above,

Answer 1

Answer: d. the Japanese firm will sell steel at a higher price abroad than at home.

Explanation:

Price elasticity measures the change in quantity demanded resulting from a change in price. The higher the price elasticity, the more the change.

In this scenario, the price elasticity is lower abroad than it is in Japan. The company will therefore charge a higher price abroad because they know that the quantity demanded will not change as much even if they raise prices. This is as opposed to Japan where the quantity demanded will change more if they increase prices.