Why is the marginal product of labor likely to increase initially in the short run as more of the variable input is hired? a. initially workers are able to specialize, but after a certain number of workers have been added, gains from specialization will be exhausted and diminishing total returns will set in. b. the marginal product always increases as more labor is hired. c. initially workers are able to specialize, but after a certain number of workers have been added, gains from specialization will be exhausted and diminishing marginal returns will set in. d. initially firms are able to add additional capital for each worker hired. however, after a certain point, it becomes cost prohibitive to do so.

Panera bread is a chain of cafes serving sandwiches, soups, and freshly baked breads. the company began in 1981 with stores primarily located along the east coast of the united states. since then, the firm has expanded to over 1,300 locations throughout the united states and canada. the firm has strong earnings and has been designated by business week as a "significant growth company." panera bread executives are considering the idea of expanding globally by opening cafes in asia through a franchising strategy. which of the following, if true, supports the argument that panera bread should expand into asia through franchising? a: the panera bread menu changes rapidly, and each cafe's artisan bread bakers receive regular training on new recipes. b: panera bread executives want fast access to the asian market without a significant investment of capital. c: panera bread executives want to test the asian market with a short-term commitment that allows them to make quick profits. d: the panera bread mission is to make excellent bread available to customers around the world.

Larissa has also provided the following information. during the year, the company raised $36 million in new long-term debt and retired $20.52 million in long-term debt. the company also sold $22 million in new stock and repurchased $32.4 million. the company purchased $54 million in fixed assets, and sold $6,107,400 in fixed assets. larissa has asked dan to prepare the financial statement of cash flows and the accounting statement of cash flows. she has also asked you to answer the following questions: 1. how would you describe east coast yachts' cash flows? 2. which cash flows statement more accurately describes the cash flows at the company? 3. in light of your previous answers, comment on larissa's expansion plans.

As a result of a labeling mistake at the chemical factory, a farmer accidentally sprays weedkiller rather than fertilizer on half her land. as a result, she loses half of her productive farmland. if the property of diminishing returns applies to all factors of production, she should expect to seea. a decrease in the marginal productivity of her remaining land and an increase in the marginal productivity of her labor. b. an increase in the marginal productivity of her remaining land and an increase in the marginal productivity of her labor. c. an increase in the marginal productivity of her remaining land and a decrease in the marginal productivity of her labor. d. a decrease in the marginal productivity of her remaining land and a decrease in the marginal productivity of her labor.