The Theory of Price Uncertainty, Production, and Profit

Firms and farmers, under pure competition, must make production decisions in the face of price uncertainty. The author has integrated diverse theories of behavior under uncertainty to provide a new framework for his mathematical analysis of the impact of price uncertainty on the behavior of the firm. Drawing upon the work of Knight, Hicks, von Neumann, and Morgenstern, he develops a schema that accounts for a greater diversity of behavior than do existing theories, yet one which yields simple economic theorems of practical value. The conclusions he draws apply to both socialist and capitalist economics. Originally published in 1968. The **Princeton Legacy Library** uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905. Firms and farmers, under pure competition, must make production decisions in the face of price uncertainty. The author has integrated diverse theories of behavior under uncertainty to provide a new framework for his mathematical analysis of the impact of price uncertainty on the behavior of the firm. Drawing upon the work of Knight, Hicks, von Neumann, and Morgenstern, he develops a schema that accounts for a greater diversity of behavior than do existing theories, yet one which yields simple economic theorems of practical value. The conclusions he draws apply to both socialist and capitalist economics. Originally published in 1968. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905 Contents Preface I. Introduction and Outline II Some Theories of Decision-Making III. Static Production Decisions IV. Static Plans and Dissimilar Production Combinations V. Some Influences of Price Uncertainty and Price Instability upon the Firm's Average Profit APPENDIX to V. Average Profit and a General Cost Model VI. Flexibility, Average Profit, and Technique Choice VII. Dynamic Decision-Making, Average Profit, and Technique Choice VIII. Price Uncertainty and Industry Profit IX. Errors, Aggregate Output, and Forward Prices X. On Dynamic Strands and Other Aspects of the Analysis APPENDIX I. A Brief Note on the Introduction of Inventories into the Analysis Bibliography Index