The Allocation of Resources in the Presence of Indivisibilities

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The Allocation of Resources in the Presence of Indivisibilities

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Herbert E. Scarf () (Cowles Foundation, Yale University)

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Herbert E. Scarf

Abstract

The pricing tests for optimality in a convex programming problem are not available when the production possibility set displays economies of scale. The paper argues that indivisibilities in production are one of the major causes of such economies. The constrained optimization problems arising in the presence of indivisibilities are integer programs, and it is proposed that the unique, minimal quantity tests for such problems may shed some light on the internal organization of a large firm.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Cowles Foundation, Yale University in its series Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers with number 1068.

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Length: 22 pages
Date of creation: Jan 1994
Date of revision:
Publication status: Published in Journal of Economic Perspectives (Fall 1994), 8(4): 111-128
Handle: RePEc:cwl:cwldpp:1068

Note: CFP 880.
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Postal: Yale University, Box 208281, New Haven, CT 06520-8281 USA
Phone: (203) 432-3702
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Web page: http://cowles.econ.yale.edu/
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Postal: Cowles Foundation, Yale University, Box 208281, New Haven, CT 06520-8281 USA

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Article
- Scarf, Herbert, 1994. "The Allocation of Resources in the Presence of Indivisibilities," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 8(4), pages 111-28, Fall. [Downloadable!] (restricted)

Cited by:
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Gerard van der Laan & Dolf Talman & Zaifu Yang, 2007. "Combinatorial Integer Labeling Theorems on Finite Sets with an Application to Discrete Systems of Nonlinear Equations," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 07-084/1, Tinbergen Institute. [Downloadable!]
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- Laan, G. van der & Talman, A.J.J. & Yang, Z.F., 2007. "Combinatorial Integer Labeling Thorems on Finite Sets with an Application to Discrete Systems of Nonlinear Equations," Discussion Paper 2007-88, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research. [Downloadable!]
Bennett Levitan & Jose Lobo & Stuart Kauffman & Richard Schuler, 1999. "Optimal Organization Size in a Stochastic Environment with Externalities," Working Papers 99-04-024, Santa Fe Institute.
Koshevoy, Gleb A. & Talman, Dolf, 2006. "Competitive equilibria in economies with multiple divisible and indivisible commodities and no money," Discussion Paper 51, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research. [Downloadable!]
SMEERS, Yves, 2005. "Long term locational prices and investment incentives in the transmission of electricity," CORE Discussion Papers 2005030, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE). [Downloadable!]
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Laan, G. van der & Talman, D. & Yang, Z., 1999. "Existence and welfare properties of equilibrium in an exchange economy with multiple divisible, indivisible commodities and linear production technologies," Discussion Paper 76, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research. [Downloadable!]
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- Gerard van der Laan & A.J.J. Dolf Talman & Zaifu Yang, 1999. "Existence and Welfare Properties of Equilibrium in an Exchange Economy with Multiple Divisible, Indivisible Commodities and Linear Production Technologies," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 99-070/1, Tinbergen Institute.
Emili Grifell-Tatjé & Kristiaan Kerstens, 2007. "Incentive Regulation and the Role of Convexity in Benchmarking Electricity Distribution: Economists versus Engineers," Working Papers 2007-ECO-01, IESEG School of Management. [Downloadable!]
Laan, G. van der & Talman, D. & Yang, Z., 1996. "Existence of an equilibrium in a competitive economy with indivisibilities and money," Discussion Paper 35, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research. [Downloadable!]
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- van der Laan, Gerard & Talman, Dolf & Yang, Zaifu, 1997. "Existence of an equilibrium in a competitive economy with indivisibilities and money," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 101-109, August. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
Montizaan Raymond & Cörvers Frank & Grip Andries de, 2009. "The effects of pension rights and retirement age on training participation: Evidence from a natural experiment," Research Memoranda 044, Maastricht : METEOR, Maastricht Research School of Economics of Technology and Organization. [Downloadable!]
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- Montizaan, Raymond & Cörvers, Frank & de Grip, Andries, 2009. "The Effects of Pension Rights and Retirement Age on Training Participation: Evidence from a Natural Experiment," IZA Discussion Papers 4462, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
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Koshevoy, G.A. & Talman, D., 2002. "Competitive equilibria in economies with multiple divisible and multiple indivisible commodities," Discussion Paper 71, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research. [Downloadable!]
Kristiaan Kerstens & Bouye Ahmed Moulaye Hachem & Ignace Van de Woestyne & Niels Vestergaard, 2008. "Optimal Capacity Utilization and Reallocation in a German Bank Branch Network: Exploring Some Strategic Scenarios," Working Papers 2008-ECO-19, IESEG School of Management. [Downloadable!]

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