On the dynamics of farm size distribution in Finland

This study attempts to explain why farm structure in Finland is what it is. The static aspects of size distribution are summarised by means of log-normal distribution and tested with respect to data on more than 500 communes for years 1959 and 1969. As to the dynamic aspects, despite some correlation between percentage growth and size at the beginning of the time period and which is believed to be partly spurious, the observed phenomena do not seem to be incompatible with the proposed version of law of proportionate effect. The latter need not be observed at every point in time

Suomen maatilojen kokojakauman dynaamisista ominaisuuksista

This study attempts to explain why farm structure in Finland is what it is. The static aspects of size distribution are summarised by means of log-normal distribution and tested with respect to data on more than 500 communes for years 1959 and 1969. As to the dynamic aspects, despite some correlation between percentage growth and size at the beginning of the time period and which is believed to be partly spurious, the observed phenomena do not seem to be incompatible with the proposed version of law of proportionate effect. The latter need not be observed at every point in time.Tämä tutkimus pyrkii selvittämään Suomen maatilarakenteen muodostumiseen vaikuttavia tekijöitä. Kokojakautuman staattisia ominaisuuksia on approksimoitu log-normaalijakautuman avulla ja testattu yli 500 kunnan lukuarvoilla vuosilta 1959 ja 1969. Jonkin verran korrelaatiota esiintyy maatilakoon ja sen prosentuaalisen kasvun välillä. Tämän korrelaation päätellään olevan osittain keinotekoista, niinpä maatilakoon kasvun dynaamisia ominaisuuksia voidaan tulkita suhteellisen muutoksen lain (Aitchison ja Brown 1957) avulla. Tällöin ei tarvitse olettaa lain pätevän jokaisena ajanhetkenä

On the dynamics of farm size distribution in Finland

vokKirjasto Aj-KSuomen maatilojen kokojakauman dynaamisista ominaisuuksist

Metaprogress functions

This paper presents a theory of evolutionary learning as an alternative to the traditional theories of productivity. It is commonly recognized that there exists a significant process of learning in the utilization of existing techniques of production. This is exemplified by the well-known concept of manufacturing progress function that unit costs systematically decline with increase in cumulated output. The thesis is advanced here that yet other learning processes underlie the development of new techniques in the first place giving rise to what may be called metaprogress functions. The proposed concept of metaprogress functions is formalized and explained by means of several illustrative case studies of technological innovations. It is concluded that the conventional and the metaprogress functions together account for both the temporal and spatial aspects of productivity evolution. The policy implications of the study are discussed at length.