Convex input and output projections of nonconvex production possibility sets

Citation
P. Bogetoft et al., Convex input and output projections of nonconvex production possibility sets, MANAG SCI, 46(6), 2000, pp. 858-869
Citations number
23
Categorie Soggetti
Management
Journal title
MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
ISSN journal
00251909 → ACNP
Volume
46
Issue
6
Year of publication
2000
Pages
858 - 869
Database
ISI
SICI code
0025-1909(200006)46:6<858:CIAOPO>2.0.ZU;2-3
Abstract
In this paper we characterize the smallest production possibility set that contains a specified set of (input, output) combinations. In accordance wit h neoclassical production economics, this possibility set has convex projec tions into the input and output spaces (convex isoquants), and it satisfies the assumption of free disposability. We obtain it by means of a possibly infinite recursion which builds the possibility set as an ever larger union of convex Sets. We remark on the nature of the approximations obtained by truncating the recursion, and we obtain a necessary and sufficient conditio n, checkable in one iteration for the recursion to stop in the next. For th e case in which the recursion stops, we provide a succinct characterization of the dominance relations among the constituent sets produced by the proc edure. Finally, we present examples of both finite and infinite cases. The example for the finite case illustrates the construction of the possibility set along with its associated production and consumption sets.