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nydus/The Theory of Business EnterprisePublic

Thorstein Veblen examines the modern industrial system as a structure defined by the machine process and investment for profit. He analyzes how business enterprise and the pursuit of financial gain serve as the primary forces directing contemporary economic organization.

Page 245 of 422
Table of Contents

CHAPTER Vn

Recurring to the notation employed in note 2, page 168, and letting Um= unit of material efBcleocy, then a given established concern, A, with a given equipment [7,i{cap)«<* PiCcap) ** ^.(oap) * Kf v— J,

presently finds Iteell In compeUtion witb a younger concern, B, having ui eqniTalent material equipment — f«(cap)i procured at a lower cost and requiring lower earnings (= ea') and lower fixed charges.

l/^(eiip)t'>U,(— = g»-'^^'\ = U-.(cap'= cap - Acap). \inl inl /

But Ern(oap)i= [7'„(cap)t as competitors in the market. Hence, with the competitive lowering of earnings, and therefore of effective capitalization, A's account oomes to slAnd ; —

(7,(cap).='f,(cap') = r7.{cBp- 4cap)< (7.(cap). In eSect A Is overcapitalized by Cr.(cap — cap'). A's nominal capital, tt,(cftp),™[7,(cap'+Acap), while A's effective capitaliiatlon

0',(cap'),= f.Ccap — A cap). The bnaiaesB man's sensibilities in the case,

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