Capital Utilization and Factor Specificity

S-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Studies
Year: 1985
Volume: 52
Issue: 2
Pages: 311-329

Authors (3)

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

In this study a model of firm behavior that allows the level of capital utilization to be optimally chosen by cost-minimizing firms is embedded into the standard specific-factors model employed in the international trade literature. The resulting generalization of the specific-factors model provides several new insights. For instance, allowing for variable utilization in either or both sectors gives rise to a greater variety of possible trade patterns than forcing utilization to remain constant. Similarly, international differences in the willingness to work during abnormal hours generate a wider variety of trade patterns than are possible in the standard specific-factors model. Finally, this model allows a reconciliation of the "dual scarcity" explanation of the nineteenth century Anglo-American pattern of trade with the historical evidence on levels of utilization.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:restud:v:52:y:1985:i:2:p:311-329.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24