Reports from industry experts suggest that NetWorks’ cost structure is similar to GearNet’s cost structure and that technological constraints require each firm to produce either 250 hubs or 500 hubs. Identify the costs that are relevant for your decisions, and then determine whether GearNet should produce 250 hubs or 500 hubs. (Hint: Use payoff tables and calculate contribution as payoffs.)

Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
6th Edition
ISBN:9781285869681
Author:Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Publisher:Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
ChapterC: Cases
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 3.8A
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You are the manager of GearNet and must decide how many Internet hubs to produce to maximize your firm’s profit. GearNet and its only rival (NetWorks) sell dual-speed Internet hubs that are identical from consumers’ perspectives. The market price for hubs depends on the total quantity produced by the two firms. A survey reveals that the market price of the hubs depends on total market output as follows:

Combined Hub Production of GearNet and NetWorks

Market Price of Hubs (per unit)

500 units

$120

750 units

$100

1,000 units

$90

GearNet and NetWorks each use labor, materials, and machines to produce output. GearNet purchases labor and materials on an as-needed basis; its machines were purchased three years ago and are being depreciated according to the straight-line method. GearNet’s accounting department has provided the following data about its unit production costs:

 

Item

GearNet’s Unit Cost for an Output of:

                     250 units                                               500 units

Direct Labor

$40

$40

Direct Materials

$30

$30

Depreciation Charge

$80

$40

Reports from industry experts suggest that NetWorks’ cost structure is similar to GearNet’s cost structure and that technological constraints require each firm to produce either 250 hubs or 500 hubs. Identify the costs that are relevant for your decisions, and then determine whether GearNet should produce 250 hubs or 500 hubs. (Hint: Use payoff tables and calculate contribution as payoffs.)

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