Diseconomies of Scale

Exam code: 7115

Written by: Ashika|Reviewed by: Caroline Carroll|Updated 2 July 2026

Diseconomies of Scale

Diseconomies of scale

As a firm continues increasing its scale of output, it will reach a point where its average costs (AC) will start to increase
- The reasons for the increase in the average costs are called diseconomies of scale

Explaining diseconomies of scale

Diseconomies of scale occur when average costs increase with increasing output

Diagram analysis

At some level of output, a firm will not be able to reduce costs any further. This point is called productive efficiency
Beyond this level of output, the average cost will begin to rise as a result of diseconomies of scale
This indicates that there is an optimal level of output that exists when the state of technology and capital (machinery) is fixed

Different types of diseconomies of scale

Diseconomies of scale highlight that it is possible for a business to become so large that it becomes less and less efficient
A business experiencing diseconomies of scale may reconsider its organisational structure to improve communication and coordination problems
- Many very large businesses often break themselves up into autonomous smaller units, which can communicate more effectively

The causes of diseconomies of scale

Type of diseconomy of scale	Explanation
Poor communication	As a business increases in size, more managers and employees will join the business Communication becomes slower and mistakes may be made, leading to worsening efficiency
Weak coordination	Time-consuming decision-making may make it harder to coordinate workers and physical resources The chain of command is likely to lengthen, limiting interaction with employees
Lack of commitment from employees	As the business grows workers may feel less valued as their interaction with management is limited Workers may become demotivated, leading to a fall in output which can increase average costs

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