Economies & Diseconomies of Scale (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Economics)
Revision Note
Written by: Steve Vorster
Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn
An Introduction to Economies and Diseconomies of Scale
As a firm grows, it is able to increases its scale of output generating efficiencies that lower its average costs (AC) of production
These efficiencies are called economies of scale
Economies of scale help large firms to lower their costs of production beyond what small firms are able to achieve
As a firm continues increasing its scale of output, it will reach a point where its average costs (AC) will start to increase
The reasons for the increase in the average costs are called diseconomies of scale
Internal economies of scale occur as a result of the growth in the scale of production within the firm
Diagram analysis
With relatively low levels of output, the firms average costs are high
As the firm increases its output, it begins to benefit from economies of scale which lower the average cost per unit
At some level of output, a firm will not be able to reduce costs any further - this point is called productive efficiency
Beyond this level of output, the average cost will begin to rise as a result of diseconomies of scale
Types of Internal Economies and Diseconomies
Types of Internal Economies and Diseconomies of Scale
Internal Economies of Scale | Diseconomies of Scale |
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External Economies of Scale
External economies of scale occur when there is an increase in the size of the industry in which the firm operates
The firm is able to benefit from lower average costs (AC) generated by factors outside of the firm
Sources of External Economies of Scale
Source | Explanation |
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Geographic Cluster |
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Transport Links |
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Skilled Labour |
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Favourable Legislation |
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