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Investment, Depreciation, And Capital Utilization

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  • Jeffrey I. Bernstein
  • M. Ishaq Nadiri

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the determinants of capital durability and utilization and their interdependence with investment decisions. The approach is based on the view that the flow of undepreciated capital is an output to be used in future production. At each date capital and non-capital inputs are combined to produce current output and the capital inputs to be used for future production. Thus capital accumulation occurs in a joint product context as two kinds of output are produced, one type for current sale and one type for future production. Another issue investigated in this paper concerns the allocation of resources within a firm between installing and utilizing capital and labor training activities. Often this problem is ignored in the theory of investment, not only because depreciation is exogenous, but also due to the treatment of labor as a variable factor of production. However, it is well recognized that firms cannot costlessly adjust labor. Thus the second purpose of this paper is to analyze the intertemporal relationship between the durability of capital and the growth rate of labor.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey I. Bernstein & M. Ishaq Nadiri, 1988. "Investment, Depreciation, And Capital Utilization," NBER Working Papers 2571, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
  • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:2571
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    1. Nadiri, M Ishaq & Rosen, Sherwin, 1969. "Interrelated Factor Demand Functions," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 59(4), pages 457-471, Part I Se.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrea Caragliu & Peter Nijkamp, 2008. "The Impact of Regional Absorptive Capacity on Spatial Knowledge Spillovers," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 08-119/3, Tinbergen Institute.
    2. Ingmar R. Prucha & M. Ishaq Nadiri, 1991. "Endogenous Capital Utilization and Productivity Measurement in Dynamic Factor Demand Models: Theory and an Application to the U.S. Electrical..," NBER Working Papers 3680, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Mohanad ISMAEL & Francesco MAGRIS, 2008. "Indeterminacy with Externalities and Capital Utilization," EcoMod2008 23800053, EcoMod.
    4. M. Ishaq Nadiri & Ingmar Prucha, 2001. "Dynamic Factor Demand Models and Productivity Analysis," NBER Chapters, in: New Developments in Productivity Analysis, pages 103-172, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Prucha, Ingmar R. & Nadiri, M. Ishaq, 1996. "Endogenous capital utilization and productivity measurement in dynamic factor demand models Theory and an application to the U.S. electrical machinery industry," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 71(1-2), pages 343-379.

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