Optimal Dynamic Investment Policies Of A Value Maximizing Firm (lecture Notes In Economics And Mathematical Systems)

1.1. Scope of the Book This book is a contribution to the area of "dynamic models of the firm". The motivation for this kind of research is the following: Empirical studies (e.g. Albach (1976)) have shown that the development of the firm over time can be divided into different stages. such as growth. stationarity and contraction. In order to understand and evaluate these stages in a proper way. it is important to develop a suitable theoretical framework. To that end. economists have applied dynamic mathematical techniques. such as optimal control theory. calculus of variations and dynamic programming to design and analyse dynamic models of the firm. In this way. the economic theory of the firm is extended to a dynamic context. Within the field of the dynamics of the firm this book - develops a general investment decision rule. based on the concept "net present value of marginal investment". which is applicable in deterministic dynamic models of the firm; - studies the influence of adjustment costs of investment on optimal dynamic firm behavior; - extends the stochastic dynamic theory of the firm by connecting it with a dynamic version of the Capital Asset Pricing Model. Before elaborating on "the dynamics of the firm". we first review the subject of net present value in the classical analysis. This book is a contribution to the area of dynamic models of the firm. In Chapter 1, a general investment decision rule based on the concept of net present value of marginal investment is developed. In chapter 2, the rule is applied in deterministic dynamic models of the firm. This rule can be expressed as follows: If the net present value of marginal investment is positive, it is optimal for the firm to grow as fast as possible; If the net present value of marginal investment is zero, the firm is in its optimal situation and it determines its investment policy to maintain this position; If the net present value of marginal investment is negative, it is optimal for the firm to contract as much as possible. In Chapter 3, the influence of adjustment costs of investment on optimal dynamic firm behaviour is studied. To that end, models with convex and concave adjustment cost functions are developed and analysed by using the investment decision rule described above. In Chapter 4, the stochastic dynamic theory of the firm is extended by connecting it with the Intertemporal Capital Asset Pricing Model (ICAPM) developed by Merton. Front Matter....Pages N2-VII Introduction....Pages 1-8 The Net Present Value in Dynamic Models of the Firm....Pages 9-42 The Net Present Value in Dynamic Adjustment Cost Models of the Firm....Pages 43-70 Dynamic Firm Behavior within an Uncertain Environment....Pages 71-92 Conclusions....Pages 93-96 Back Matter....Pages 97-189