HighFlyer Airlines wants to build new airplanes with greatly increased cabin space. This will allow HighFlyer Airlines to give passengers more comfort and sell more tickets at a higher price. However, redesigning the cabin means rethinking many other elements of the airplane as well, like engine and luggage placement, and the most efficient shape of the plane for moving through the air, which requires investment spending. The table below shows the level of R&D spending necessary to achieve different rates of return (due to higher ticket revenue). Private Rate of Return Level of R&D Spending 12% $100 10% $200 8% $300 6% $400 4% $500 If the opportunity cost of financial capital for HighFlyer Airlines is 6%, how much should the firm invest in R&D? Assume that the social rate of return for R&D is an additional 2% on top of the private return; that is, an R&D investment that had a 7% private return to HighFlyer Airlines would have a 9% social return. How much investment is socially optimal at the 6% interest rate? Explain why the socially optimal level of investment is greater than the private level of investment. Offer one example of a government policy that could incentivize the airline to invest the socially optimal amount.

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

14th Edition

ISBN:9780190931919

Author:NEWNAN

Publisher:NEWNAN

Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1QTC

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HighFlyer Airlines wants to build new airplanes with greatly increased cabin space. This will allow HighFlyer Airlines to give passengers more comfort and sell more tickets at a higher price. However, redesigning the cabin means rethinking many other elements of the airplane as well, like engine and luggage placement, and the most efficient shape of the plane for moving through the air, which requires investment spending. The table below shows the level of R&D spending necessary to achieve different rates of return (due to higher ticket revenue).

Private Rate of Return	Level of R&D Spending
12%	$100
10%	$200
8%	$300
6%	$400
4%	$500

If the opportunity cost of financial capital for HighFlyer Airlines is 6%, how much should the firm invest in R&D?
Assume that the social rate of return for R&D is an additional 2% on top of the private return; that is, an R&D investment that had a 7% private return to HighFlyer Airlines would have a 9% social return. How much investment is socially optimal at the 6% interest rate?
Explain why the socially optimal level of investment is greater than the private level of investment.
Offer one example of a government policy that could incentivize the airline to invest the socially optimal amount.

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