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Dedicated vs product flexible production technology: Strategic capacity investment choice

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  • Boonman, H.J.
  • Hagspiel, V.
  • Kort, P.M.

Abstract

This paper studies the optimal investment strategies of an incumbent and a potential entrant that can both choose between a product flexible and dedicated technology, in a two-product market characterized by uncertain demand. The product flexible production technology has certain advantages, especially when the economic environment is uncertain. On the other hand, the dedicated production technology allows a firm to commit to production quantities. This gives strategic advantages, which can outweigh the ‘value of flexibility’. It turns out that both firms prefer, for some scenarios, the dedicated production technology. However, we find that in a game with sequential technology choices, both firms investing dedicated, will not be an equilibrium. Especially when the economic environment is more uncertain, the incumbent overinvests in product flexible capacity to force the entrant to choose the dedicated technology. Then, the incumbent is the only firm with the product flexible production technology, which results in a high payoff.

Suggested Citation

  • Boonman, H.J. & Hagspiel, V. & Kort, P.M., 2015. "Dedicated vs product flexible production technology: Strategic capacity investment choice," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 244(1), pages 141-152.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:244:y:2015:i:1:p:141-152
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2015.01.007
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    8. Guozhao Cao & Zhan Wang, 2021. "Product flexibility of competitive manufactures: the effect of debt financing," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 307(1), pages 53-74, December.
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    10. J. Prince Vijai, 2021. "Production network, technology choice, capacity investment and inventory sourcing decisions: operational hedging under demand uncertainty," OPSEARCH, Springer;Operational Research Society of India, vol. 58(4), pages 1164-1191, December.
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