CRITERES D'OPTIMATION DE LA GESTION DE LA PRODUCTION

Abstract

SUMMARY By the classical economic theory output is considered as a result of exchanges. Market prices and produced quantities are determined by the point of intersection between offer and demand curves, both varying with shifts in prices; equilibrium is reached without any optimality criterion of business behaviour. In reality, however, output depends on business behaviour; business decisions are based upon such a criterion. The level of demand is set up by prices and income. The marginal utility theory of money makes it possible, to refer the structure of prices to the structure of income. The present paper deals with some of the criteria of optimal business behaviour: (1) Maximization of output. The application of this criterion under the assumption of given prices yields results, partly rational, partly logical but non-justified under economic aspects, partly simply paradoxical. (2) Minimization of costs (maximization of benefits). This criterion—classical when problems of social welfare are considered—seems in this context to lead to paradoxical results, too. (3) Profit-Maximization. In the limited case of perfect monopoly this criterion may be malthusianistic; in oligopoly cases it might be, however, that technical and economic progress is stimulated by its application on business decisions. (4) The social benefit criterion refers to the theory of consumers’ surplus; it may be applied under increasing benefits.