Would an Empty Seat Sometimes Have More Value Than an Occupied One?
Availability is a form of readiness.
Sometimes. Empty capacity can provide flexibility, resilience, and the ability to respond to future demand.
A nearly full train leaves one seat empty. For most passengers, the seat appears wasted.
The hidden mechanism is option preservation. Spare capacity can absorb unexpected demand, emergencies, or changing circumstances.
Operations managers often balance efficiency against flexibility because systems with no spare capacity can become fragile.
The most valuable seat may be the one that nobody needs until suddenly someone does.
