Out-of-equilibrium dynamics and excess volatility in firm networks

We study the conditions under which input-output networks can dynamically attain a competitive equilibrium, where markets clear and profits are zero. We endow a classical firm network model with minimal dynamical rules that reduce supply/demand imbalances and excess profits. We show that the time ne...

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Main Authors: Dessertaine, T, Moran, J, Benzaquen, M, Bouchaud, J-P
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022
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author Dessertaine, T
Moran, J
Benzaquen, M
Bouchaud, J-P
author_facet Dessertaine, T
Moran, J
Benzaquen, M
Bouchaud, J-P
author_sort Dessertaine, T
collection OXFORD
description We study the conditions under which input-output networks can dynamically attain a competitive equilibrium, where markets clear and profits are zero. We endow a classical firm network model with minimal dynamical rules that reduce supply/demand imbalances and excess profits. We show that the time needed to reach equilibrium diverges to infinity as the system approaches an instability point beyond which the Hawkins-Simons condition is violated and competitive equilibrium is no longer admissible. We argue that such slow dynamics is a source of excess volatility, through accumulation and amplification of exogenous shocks. Factoring in essential physical constraints absent in our minimal model, such as causality or inventory management, we then propose a dynamically consistent model that displays a rich variety of phenomena. Competitive equilibrium can only be reached after some time and within some restricted region of parameter space, outside of which one observes spontaneous periodic and chaotic dynamics, reminiscent of real business cycles. This suggests an alternative explanation of excess volatility in terms of purely endogenous fluctuations. Diminishing return to scale and increased perishability of goods are found to ease convergence towards equilibrium.
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spelling oxford-uuid:22ea2e89-313a-4947-873a-ddd5255b1b4f2024-03-15T10:14:28ZOut-of-equilibrium dynamics and excess volatility in firm networksJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:22ea2e89-313a-4947-873a-ddd5255b1b4fEnglishSymplectic ElementsElsevier2022Dessertaine, TMoran, JBenzaquen, MBouchaud, J-PWe study the conditions under which input-output networks can dynamically attain a competitive equilibrium, where markets clear and profits are zero. We endow a classical firm network model with minimal dynamical rules that reduce supply/demand imbalances and excess profits. We show that the time needed to reach equilibrium diverges to infinity as the system approaches an instability point beyond which the Hawkins-Simons condition is violated and competitive equilibrium is no longer admissible. We argue that such slow dynamics is a source of excess volatility, through accumulation and amplification of exogenous shocks. Factoring in essential physical constraints absent in our minimal model, such as causality or inventory management, we then propose a dynamically consistent model that displays a rich variety of phenomena. Competitive equilibrium can only be reached after some time and within some restricted region of parameter space, outside of which one observes spontaneous periodic and chaotic dynamics, reminiscent of real business cycles. This suggests an alternative explanation of excess volatility in terms of purely endogenous fluctuations. Diminishing return to scale and increased perishability of goods are found to ease convergence towards equilibrium.
spellingShingle Dessertaine, T
Moran, J
Benzaquen, M
Bouchaud, J-P
Out-of-equilibrium dynamics and excess volatility in firm networks
title Out-of-equilibrium dynamics and excess volatility in firm networks
title_full Out-of-equilibrium dynamics and excess volatility in firm networks
title_fullStr Out-of-equilibrium dynamics and excess volatility in firm networks
title_full_unstemmed Out-of-equilibrium dynamics and excess volatility in firm networks
title_short Out-of-equilibrium dynamics and excess volatility in firm networks
title_sort out of equilibrium dynamics and excess volatility in firm networks
work_keys_str_mv AT dessertainet outofequilibriumdynamicsandexcessvolatilityinfirmnetworks
AT moranj outofequilibriumdynamicsandexcessvolatilityinfirmnetworks
AT benzaquenm outofequilibriumdynamicsandexcessvolatilityinfirmnetworks
AT bouchaudjp outofequilibriumdynamicsandexcessvolatilityinfirmnetworks