In applied research it is common to estimate complete production models, obtain measures of scale economies and total factor productivity growth and then regress such measures on exogenous variables. Such procedures result in inconsistent estimates of technological as well as regression parameters: estimation of total factor productivity and scale economies in the "rst step, does not take into ...

For what kind of intermediate input/service do firms often go outsourcing? This paper develops a model of two-stage production in which economies of scope are central to the production of both the intermediate and final good. The model is able to explain the patterns of outsourcing from the degree of product differentiation, economies of scope, and economies of scale in production of the interm...