Statement–Assumption — “The company has decided to increase the price of all its products to tackle its precarious financial position.” Assumptions: I. The decision may wipe out all previously incurred losses. II. Buyers may continue to purchase even after the price increase. III. The company has enough resources to continue production for a few more months.
Correct Answer: Only II is implicit
Introduction / Context:The firm opts for a uniform price hike to improve finances. We must identify the minimum beliefs necessary for this strategy to plausibly help.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Revenue = price * quantity; margins depend on cost structure and demand elasticity.
- Price hikes risk demand loss; success requires sustained purchases.
Concept / Approach:The critical assumption is II: that demand will persist sufficiently post-hike so that revenue/margins improve. Assumption I (wipe out entire past losses) is far stronger than required; a price rise aims to improve cash flow/viability, not necessarily to erase all historical losses. Assumption III (enough resources for a few months) is irrelevant to the decision to raise prices; pricing can change immediately and does not need a buffer to be rational.
Step-by-Step Solution:1) II is necessary because if buyers stop purchasing, the hike would worsen finances.2) I is unnecessary overreach; III is not tied to price-change feasibility.
Verification / Alternative check:Managerial pricing decisions hinge on elasticity and competitive response, not on guarantees of total loss recovery.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:“II and III” adds an unneeded premise; “I and II” includes an excessive claim; “None” ignores the demand-continuity necessity; “All” overstates.
Common Pitfalls:Assuming strategic pricing must guarantee complete historical recovery.
Final Answer:Only II is implicit