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An Alternative Theory of Firm and Industry Dynamics

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Abstract

This paper provides a model of firm and industry dynamics that allows for entry, exit and firm-specific uncertainty generating variability in the fortunes of firms. It focuses on the impact of uncertainty arising from investment in research and exploration-type processes. It analyzes the behavior of individual firms exploring profit opportunities in an evolving marketplace and derives optimal policies, including exit, in this environment. Then it adds an entry process and aggregates the optimal behavior of all firms, including potential entrants, into a rational expectations, Markov perfect industry equilibrium, and proves ergodicity of the equilibrium process. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the more detailed characteristics of the stochastic process generating industry structures that result from this equilibrium.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Ericson & Ariel Pakes, 1992. "An Alternative Theory of Firm and Industry Dynamics," Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers 1041, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University.
    • Handle: RePEc:cwl:cwldpp:1041
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    File URL: https://cowles.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/pub/d10/d1041.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Industry dynamics; exploratory investment; heterogeneous firms; Markov perfect equilibrium;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • D40 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - General
    • D92 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Intertemporal Firm Choice, Investment, Capacity, and Financing

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