SUBSTITUTE-IN-PRODUCTION:

One of two (or more) goods that use the same resource for production in an exclusionary manner. A substitute-in-production is one of two alternatives falling within the other prices determinant of supply. An increase in the price of one substitute good causes a decrease in supply for the other.

Substitutes-in-production are two or more goods that can be produced using the same resources. Producing one good prevents sellers from using resources to produce another. Produce one or produce the other, but not both.

Farmers are frequently faced with the production of substitute crops, such as corn or soybeans. Automobile companies must choose between the production of four-door sedans or pickup trucks. Building contractors devote their resources to the construction of multi-family apartment buildings or single-family houses.

The price of a substitute-in-production is part of the other prices supply determinant. A change in the price of a substitute-in-production causes a change in supply and a shift of the supply curve. An increase in the price of one substitute good causes a decrease in the supply of the other. A decrease in the price of one substitute good causes an increase in the supply of the other.

Shifting the Supply Curve

To illustrate this process consider the production of two goods--sport shirts and window curtains. Each is produced using the same resources--workers, factories, tools, and materials. They produce one or they produce the other.

 

How is the supply of sport shirts affected if the price of window curtains should change?

 

• A Higher Price: Suppose the price of window curtains increases. Profit-minded window curtain producers undoubtedly react according to the law of supply and increase the quantity supplied of window curtains. However, in that this requires additional resources, fewer are available to produce a substitute good, such as sport shirts. The result is a decrease in the supply for sport shirts and a leftward shift of the supply curve. Click the [Price Increase] button to demonstrate.

  The production substitution between window curtains and sport shirts is due to a change in relative prices triggered by the change in the price of window curtains, given that the price of sport shirts remains constant. That is, even though the price of sport shirts does not change, it is relatively cheaper due to the higher price of window curtains.
  

• A Lower Price: Suppose the price of window curtains decreases. Profit-minded window curtain producers now react according to the law of supply and decrease the quantity supplied of window curtains. However, this frees up resources that can be used to produce a substitute good, such as sport shirts. The result is an increase in the supply for sport shirts and a rightward shift of the supply curve. Click the [Price Decrease] button to demonstrate.

  The production substitution between window curtains and sport shirts is once again due to a change in relative prices triggered by the price of window curtains, with no change in the price of sport shirts. That is, even though the price of sport shirts does not change, it is relatively more expensive due to the lower price of window curtains.

COMPLEMENT-IN-PRODUCTION:

One of two (or more) goods that are simultaneously produced using a given resource. A complement-in-production is one of two alternatives falling within the other prices determinant of supply. An increase in the price of one complement good causes an increase in supply for the other.

Complements-in-production are two or more goods that are jointly produced using a given resource. The production of one good automatically triggers the production of another, often as a bi-product. Both goods are simultaneously produced from the same resource. The production of one good does not exclude the production of the other, as would be the case for substitutes-in-production. In fact, it promotes the production of the other. Produce one, produce both.

Agricultural producers frequently generate bi-products when they produce a primary good, such as wheat and hay. Cattle ranchers produce both beef and leather from the same cattle resource. Lumber mills use timber resources to the produce two-by-fours and sawdust.

The price of a complement-in-production is part of the other prices supply determinant. A change in the price of a complement-in-production causes a change in supply and a shift of the supply curve. An increase in the price of one complement good causes an increase in the supply of the other. A decrease in the price of one complement good causes a decrease in the supply of the other.

Shifting the Supply Curve

To illustrate this process consider the simultaneous production of two goods--beef and leather. Each is jointly produced using the same cattle resources. When producers produce one, they produce both.

 

How is the supply of leather affected if the price of beef should change?

• A Higher Price: Suppose the price of beef increases. Profit-minded cattle ranchers undoubtedly react according to the law of supply and increase the quantity supplied of beef. However, in that this generates leather as a bi-product, more leather is automatically produced. The result is an increase in the supply of leather and a rightward shift of the supply curve. Click the [Price Increase] button to demonstrate.
  
• A Lower Price: Suppose the price of beef decreases. Profit-minded cattle ranchers also likely react according to the law of supply and decrease the quantity supplied of beef. However, now there is less leather generated as a bi-product, with less leather automatically produced. The result is a decrease in the supply of leather and a leftward shift of the supply curve. Click the [Price Decrease] button to demonstrate.

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