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A Reconsideration of the Theory of Non-Linear Scale Effects

The Sources of Varying Returns to, and Economies of, Scale

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 March 2018

Richard G. Lipsey
Affiliation:
Simon Fraser University, British Columbia

Summary

The main thrust of this Element is a critical assessment of the theory and evidence concerning the sources of scale effects. It is argued that the analysis of static scale effects is important because scale effects are embedding in our world, and new technologies associated with an evolving economy often allow their exploitation when they cannot be exploited in less technically advanced and smaller economies. So, although static equilibrium theory is not a good vehicle for studying economic growth, showing how scale effects operate when output varies with given technology helps us to understand the scale effects that occur when output rises as a result of economic growth, even though that is typically driven by technological change.
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Online ISBN: 9781108555029
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 22 March 2018

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A Reconsideration of the Theory of Non-Linear Scale Effects
  • Richard G. Lipsey, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia
  • Online ISBN: 9781108555029
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A Reconsideration of the Theory of Non-Linear Scale Effects
  • Richard G. Lipsey, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia
  • Online ISBN: 9781108555029
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A Reconsideration of the Theory of Non-Linear Scale Effects
  • Richard G. Lipsey, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia
  • Online ISBN: 9781108555029
Available formats
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