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Three sources of increasing returns to scale

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  • Jinill Kim

Abstract

This paper reviews various types of increasing returns from a critical perspective. Increasing returns have been introduced in a monopolistic-competition model both at the firm level and at the aggregate level. We show that the degree of the aggregate returns to scale is a linear combination of three return parameters, with the weights determined by the specification of a zero-profit condition. Identification issues are discussed with an emphasis on recent macro literature. We argue that disaggregate data give information on the market structure rather than the technology. Welfare implications explain why it is important to identify various increasing returns.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinill Kim, 1997. "Three sources of increasing returns to scale," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 1997-18, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgfe:1997-18
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Busato & Enrico Marchetti, 2009. "Skills, sunspots and cycles," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 97(3), pages 189-215, July.
    2. Gianluigi Giustiziero & Tobias Kretschmer & Deepak Somaya & Brian Wu, 2023. "Hyperspecialization and hyperscaling: A resource‐based theory of the digital firm," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(6), pages 1391-1424, June.
    3. Jinill Kim, 1998. "Adjustment costs of investment in general equilibrium: analytic results," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 1998-39, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    4. Kim, Jinill, 2000. "Constructing and estimating a realistic optimizing model of monetary policy," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(2), pages 329-359, April.
    5. Chang, Cheng-wei & Lai, Ching-chong, 2012. "Markups and the number of firms in a simple model of imperfect competition," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 116(3), pages 277-280.
    6. Dale Henderson & Jinill Kim, 1999. "Exact Utilities under Alternative Monetary Rules in a Simple Macro Model with Optimizing Agents," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 6(4), pages 507-535, November.
    7. Kim, Jinill, 2004. "What determines aggregate returns to scale?," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 28(8), pages 1577-1594, June.
    8. Jinill Kim, 1998. "Indeterminacy and investment adjustment costs," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 1998-38, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).

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    Keywords

    Economies of scale;

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