Published by: Sayuja Koirala
Published date: 26 Jul 2024
Allocation of resources is distributing available resources, such as time, money, labour, and materials, across various projects or divisions within an organization or economy. This topic is important in economics and management since it directly affects efficiency and production. Market pressures, government regulations, and organizational tactics all impact resource allocation. Prices in a market economy
The Central problems of allocation of resources are determined by the free price mechanism.
The commodities which do not command positive prices in the market would not be produced. Therefore only those commodities with positive prices are to be produced and in such a way that would clear the markets. The quantity in which a commodity is to be produced is set at that level where demand equals supply. If quality produced is more or less, then there will be dis equilibrium in the market and price will fluctuate. Hence, to maintain stable equilibrium price it becomes necessary to make demand and supply equal. This rule is applicable for each commodity. In this way, first central problem is solved.
In the context of this, it is: ‘Which techniques are to be adopted’? Technology means the correct proportion in which the different factors of production are to be employed. There are two types of techniques. A labour-intensive technique would employ relatively more labour and less capital. On the other hand, capital-intensive technique means more capital and less labour. The choice of technique depends on the prices of the factors of production. That is, if labour is cheap and capital is expensive, a labour-intensive technique would be considered and vice-versa. The prices of labour and capital are determined by the demand for and supply of labour and capital respectively. In this way, the second problem will be solved.
The solution to this problem is very simple commodity can be consumed only by people who have more purchasing power. The price mechanism determines the income of the workers, i.e.; purchasing power. The purchasing power of the owner of capital is determined in the same way. Thus, when the price of every commodity and every factor of production are determined, the third problem will be solved.