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The Power of Demand: A General Equilibrium Analysis of Multi-Stage-Fabrication Economy with Inventories

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  • Wen, Yi

    (Cornell U)

Abstract

Due to lack of models that can feature both output- and input-inventories simultaneously, several well known puzzles pertaining to inventory fluctuations and the business cycle have not been well explained by dynamic optimization theory. By presenting a general equilibrium, multi-stage production model of inventories with separate decisions to order, use, and stock input materials and to produce, sell, and store finished output, this paper offers not only a model of input-output inventories but also a neoclassical perspective on the theory of aggregate demand. It shows that due to production/ delivery lags, firms opt to hold both output- and input-inventories so as to guard against demand uncertainty at all stages of production. As a result, not only is production more volatile than sales but also is inputordering more volatile than input-usages, giving rise to a chain-multiplier mechanism that propagates and amplifies demand shocks at downstream towards upstream via input-output linkages. This multiplier effect induced by precautionary inventory investment at each production stage can explain several long-standing puzzles of the business cycle documented in the inventory literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Wen, Yi, 2003. "The Power of Demand: A General Equilibrium Analysis of Multi-Stage-Fabrication Economy with Inventories," Working Papers 03-13r, Cornell University, Center for Analytic Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:corcae:03-13r
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    File URL: https://cae.economics.cornell.edu/caewp0313R.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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