Knowledge that Transforms

Abstract : A 'bottleneck problem' in the sense that the level of economic activity will be determined by the resource in shortest supply is discussed. A typical problem of the bottleneck type involving the auto industry, the steel industry and the tool industry is presented. The problem is formulated mathematically employing a discrete approximation. After a short discussion of the difficulties of this approach, a continuous approximation is advanced. Finally, the functional equation approach is applied to the theory of dynamic programming.

The method used here represents an attempt to eliminate the influence of unspecified factors on the dependent variate in multiple regression analysis. It is applied in constructing a production function for British coal mining over the period 1943-53 and in estimating the elasticities of output with regard to labour and to horsepower, the latter indicating mechanisation. The statistical and economic significance of the results is examined.