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If the demand for a firm’s output unexpectedly decreases, you would expect its inventory to

a. increase.

b. decrease.

c. remain the same.

d. increase or remain the same, depending on whether or not prices are sticky.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Option (a): increase

Step by step solution

01

Meaning of inventory

A firm’s inventory is all the raw material required for production and finished goods available for sale. A firm holds inventory to smoothen the production and avoid the stock-out situation.

02

Explanation for the correct option

As the demand for a firm’s output decreases unexpectedly, the demand will fall short of what is produced, which means overproduction in the economy.Consumers will not purchase the product. The firm’s stock of ready-to-sale goods will increase.

Therefore, the firm’s inventory will increase with an unexpected decline in the demand for the firm’s output.

03

Explanation for incorrect options

With the sudden fall in the firm’s output demand, the supply has to be lowered. The lower supply in the market means overproduced final goods adding to the inventory. Thus, the inventory will not decrease with a decrease in output demand.

So, in the case of a sudden fall in demand, the inventory stock cannot remain the same.

It is a stock concept. Firms accumulate inventory to meet consumer demand in times of shortage. It has nothing to do with the current price level. Therefore, a firm’s inventory will not increase or remain the same depending on the price level.

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