A Geometric Comparison of the Transformation Loci with Specific and Mobile Capital
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of Economic Education
Volume
39
Publication Date
2008
First Page
145
Last Page
152
Abstract
The authors show how the transformation loci in the specific factors model (capital specificity) and the Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson model (capital mobility) can be rigorously derived and easily compared by using geometric techniques on the basis of Savosnick geometry. The approach shows directly that the transformation locus with capital specificity has a greater degree of curvature than with capital mobility, given the same technology, and that the latter is an envelope of the former. It can also be used to show how incentives in the short run would lead to the long-run capital reallocation implied by the assumption of capital mobility.
Recommended Citation
“A Geometric Comparison of the Transformation Loci with Specific and Mobile Capital,” (with J. Gilbert), Journal of Economic Education 39, 2008: 145-152.