Profit maximization problem for Cobb–Douglas and CES production functions

Abstract

Production functions are used to model the production activity of enterprises. In this article, we formulate the necessary and sufficient conditions of strict concavity for Cobb‐Douglas and constant elasticity of substitution (CES) production functions. These conditions constitute the theoretical foundation for analyzing the profit maximization problem. An optimal solution is constructed in analytical form and some of its properties are described. Three approaches to solving the profit maximization problem are considered and their equivalence is established. For a Cobb‐Douglas production function we investigate the dependence of the maximum profit on elasticity coefficients. A similar analysis is carried out also for the CES production function. The article presents a systematic and detailed discussion of the relevant topics. The topic is related to the investigation of innovation activity of enterprises. The theoretical results and the explicit analytical relationships provide a theoretical and algorithmic base for the “Planer” optimization software—a useful product for the analysis of the production activity of enterprises modeled by production function tools.