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A Theory of Supply Function Choice and Aggregate Supply

Author

Listed:
  • Joel P. Flynn
  • George Nikolakoudis
  • Karthik A. Sastry

Abstract

Modern theories of aggregate supply are built on the foundation that firms set prices and commit to producing whatever the market demands. We remove this strategic restriction and allow firms to choose supply functions, mappings that describe the prices charged at each quantity of production. Theoretically, we characterize firms' optimal supply function choices in general equilibrium and study the resulting implications for aggregate supply. Aggregate supply flattens under lower inflation uncertainty, higher idiosyncratic demand uncertainty, and less elastic demand. Quantitatively, our theory can rationalize the flattening of aggregate supply during the Great Moderation and steepening during the 1970s and 2020s.

Suggested Citation

  • Joel P. Flynn & George Nikolakoudis & Karthik A. Sastry, 2026. "A Theory of Supply Function Choice and Aggregate Supply," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 116(2), pages 710-748, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:116:y:2026:i:2:p:710-48
    DOI: 10.1257/aer.20240443
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • E13 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Neoclassical
    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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