The Flexibility to Switch between Different Products

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_83D08F7A48A4
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
The Flexibility to Switch between Different Products
Journal
Economica
Author(s)
Von Ungern-Sternberg T.
ISSN
0013-0427
Publication state
Published
Issued date
1990
Volume
57
Number
227
Pages
355-369
Language
english
Abstract
In many situations of fluctuating demand, firms react by diversifying into several different markets. The use of flexible (non-dedicated) equipment implies higher costs for the production of one good, but makes it easier (less costly) to switch to the production of another. When flexibility is modelled in this way, the market will usually be characterized by the coexistence of a variety of different firms, some using (high-cost) flexible technologies, others (low-cost) dedicated production units. This heterogeneity of firms is due to the fact that the choice between specialization and flexibility involves a fundamental non-convexity.
Web of science
Create date
19/11/2007 11:37
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:43
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