Neglected export opportunities and the profit-maximizing assumption.

Abstract

The assiduous and indefatigable pursuit of profit, according to established economic theory, is the primary raison d'eitre of the businessman. If this is so, the present author states, American businessmen are strangely oblivious to a considerable body of money-making opportunities. He suggests that the profit-maximizing assumption may no longer be valid for the American economy, which has moved from a profit-phase to a satiety-phase economy “…wherein the businessman, satiated with both wealth and renown, turns his attention to unbusiness like relaxation, recreation, diversion, and education”.