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On the matthew effect on individual investments in skills in arts, sports and science

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  • Yegorov, Yury
  • Wirl, Franz
  • Grass, Dieter
  • Eigruber, Markus
  • Feichtinger, Gustav

Abstract

This paper describes the process of capital accumulation subject to the following characteristics: (i) convex returns to (human) capital and (ii) the need to self-finance investments. Our setup is applicable to some peculiarities in the arts, sports and science, inter alia, coined the Matthew effect in Merton (1968) and explains, e.g., why prominent researchers get disproportional credit for their work. The potential young artist’s (athlete’s or scientist’s) optimal strategies include quitting, or continuing and even expanding one’s human capital in the respective profession. Both outcomes are separated by a threshold level in human capital. In addition, we find that it can be optimal to stay in business although consumption falls and stays at the subsistence level forever (we call this outcome a Sisyphus point). This possibility is also interesting from a theoretical point-of-view, as the optimal control problem may turn abnormal, i.e., the objective does not enter the Hamiltonian.

Suggested Citation

  • Yegorov, Yury & Wirl, Franz & Grass, Dieter & Eigruber, Markus & Feichtinger, Gustav, 2022. "On the matthew effect on individual investments in skills in arts, sports and science," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 178-199.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:196:y:2022:i:c:p:178-199
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2022.02.008
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human capital accumulation; Abnormal control problem; Convex returns; Threshold; Matthew effect; Sisyphus point;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • E20 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • Z11 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economics of the Arts and Literature

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