The Constant Elasticity of Substitution (CES) production function is a flexible way to de- scribe how a firm combines capital and labor to produce output, allowing for different levels of substitutability between the two inputs. The elasticity of substitution, denoted by σ, measures how easily the firm can substitute capital for labor (or vice versa) while maintaining the same output level. The parameter p is related to the elasticity of substi- tution by the formula σ = 1/(1 - p). Now, let's consider a firm that operates for two periods (t and t + 1) and produces output according to the CES production function: F(KN)=[αK² +(1−a]N₁°]¹/º, 0

Microeconomic Theory
12th Edition
ISBN:9781337517942
Author:NICHOLSON
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Chapter9: Production Functions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 9.10P
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The Constant Elasticity of Substitution (CES) production function is a flexible way to de-
scribe how a firm combines capital and labor to produce output, allowing for different
levels of substitutability between the two inputs. The elasticity of substitution, denoted
by σ, measures how easily the firm can substitute capital for labor (or vice versa) while
maintaining the same output level. The parameter p is related to the elasticity of substi-
tution by the formula σ = 1/(1 - p).
Now, let's consider a firm that operates for two periods (t and t + 1) and produces
output according to the CES production function:
F(KN)=[αK² +(1−a]N₁°]¹/º, 0<a<1, p<1
The parameter a determines the relative importance of capital and labor in the pro-
duction process, with a higher a indicating that capital is more important and a lower a
indicating that labor is more important.
The CES production function is particularly useful for analyzing how changes in the
prices of capital and labor affect the firm's optimal choice of inputs, and how the firm's
ability to substitute between capital and labor influences its production decisions.
The firm starts with an initial capital stock Kε in period t and can invest Ę to increase its
capital stock in period t + 1. The capital accumulation equation is:
K++1=(1-8)K++I₁
where 8 is the depreciation rate (0 < 8< 1).
The firm borrows an amount BI+ from a financial intermediary to finance its investment
I+ at the risk-free interest rate r₁.
The firm's dividends in each period are:
D₁ =AF(KN)-w+N+
Paste
Dt+1=A++1F (K+1, Nt+1) + (1 − 8)K++1 − W₁+1№₁+1 − (1 + r₁)BI₁
The firm's objective is to maximize its value, which is the present discounted value of
dividends:
V₁ =D₁+ 1 D₁+1 1+rt
Question Write down the firm's optimization problem in terms of choosing N+ and It
to maximize V+, subject to the capital accumulation equation and the constraint that BI₁ =
It.
Transcribed Image Text:The Constant Elasticity of Substitution (CES) production function is a flexible way to de- scribe how a firm combines capital and labor to produce output, allowing for different levels of substitutability between the two inputs. The elasticity of substitution, denoted by σ, measures how easily the firm can substitute capital for labor (or vice versa) while maintaining the same output level. The parameter p is related to the elasticity of substi- tution by the formula σ = 1/(1 - p). Now, let's consider a firm that operates for two periods (t and t + 1) and produces output according to the CES production function: F(KN)=[αK² +(1−a]N₁°]¹/º, 0<a<1, p<1 The parameter a determines the relative importance of capital and labor in the pro- duction process, with a higher a indicating that capital is more important and a lower a indicating that labor is more important. The CES production function is particularly useful for analyzing how changes in the prices of capital and labor affect the firm's optimal choice of inputs, and how the firm's ability to substitute between capital and labor influences its production decisions. The firm starts with an initial capital stock Kε in period t and can invest Ę to increase its capital stock in period t + 1. The capital accumulation equation is: K++1=(1-8)K++I₁ where 8 is the depreciation rate (0 < 8< 1). The firm borrows an amount BI+ from a financial intermediary to finance its investment I+ at the risk-free interest rate r₁. The firm's dividends in each period are: D₁ =AF(KN)-w+N+ Paste Dt+1=A++1F (K+1, Nt+1) + (1 − 8)K++1 − W₁+1№₁+1 − (1 + r₁)BI₁ The firm's objective is to maximize its value, which is the present discounted value of dividends: V₁ =D₁+ 1 D₁+1 1+rt Question Write down the firm's optimization problem in terms of choosing N+ and It to maximize V+, subject to the capital accumulation equation and the constraint that BI₁ = It.
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