6.13 : 等量線の種類

The convex-shaped isoquant is the most common type of isoquant. This shape results from the diminishing marginal rate of technical substitution, indicating that labor and capital can substitute each other but at a decreasing rate.

Then, isoquants can be right-angled. This represents perfect complements where inputs must be used together in fixed proportions, and substitution between inputs is not possible.

Consider a transport company that needs one driver per truck to maintain its deliveries. Regardless of the number of drivers, without additional trucks, goods cannot be delivered. This results in an abrupt right-angled isoquant.

Finally, isoquants can be a straight line with a constant negative slope. This represents perfect substitutes, where inputs can be substituted for each other at a constant rate without affecting output.

Consider a coffee shop that produces a special blend of coffee. A barista or a machine can produce the coffee at the same rate and quality. In this scenario, the owner can perfectly replace the barista with the machine. This leads to a straight-line isoquant.

These isoquants represent extreme cases and don't usually hold in real-world situations.