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Machine replacement, Network Externalities and Investment Cycles

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  • Juan Ruiz

    (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid)

Abstract

This paper presents a model where agents decide on the timing of replacement of ageing machines. The optimal replacement policy for an agent is influenced by other agents' decisions because the productivity of a particular vintage displays network externalities that set in with a lag. In equilibrium, agents follow innovation cycles with a frequency that is lower than optimal, so there is too much delay. One extreme case is the possibility of inefficient collapse: for some parameters there is no investment in equilibrium, even though it is socially optimal that agents (eventually) invest in cycles. Another feature of the model is the tendency of agents to synchronize their individual decisions, and thus the outcome of the aggregate economy does not smooth out the non- convexities present at the microeconomic level.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Ruiz, 2003. "Machine replacement, Network Externalities and Investment Cycles," Macroeconomics 0302001, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpma:0302001
    Note: Type of Document - pdf file; prepared on Scientific Workplace; to print on any printer; pages: 42 ; figures: included in text
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    File URL: https://econwpa.ub.uni-muenchen.de/econ-wp/mac/papers/0302/0302001.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. John Haltiwanger & Russell Cooper & Laura Power, 1999. "Machine Replacement and the Business Cycle: Lumps and Bumps," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 89(4), pages 921-946, September.
    6. Shleifer, Andrei, 1986. "Implementation Cycles," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 94(6), pages 1163-1190, December.
    7. Gale, Douglas, 1995. "Dynamic Coordination Games," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 5(1), pages 1-18, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Juan Ruiz, 2003. "Another Perspective on Planned obsolescence: is there really too much Innovation?," Industrial Organization 0302001, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Michael Ball, 2003. "Is there an office replacement cycle?," Journal of Property Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 173-189, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Machine replacement; network externalities; investment cycles; delay.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • D92 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Intertemporal Firm Choice, Investment, Capacity, and Financing

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