Corporate investment decisions with switch flexibility, constraints, and path-dependency

Abstract

We model sequential, corporate investment decisions with time-to-build delays, operating scale mode switching, operating constraints, and path dependencies. We also account for stochastic salvage (abandonment) values that are utilization (path) dependent. Our results highlight a key link between economic depreciation, stochastic salvage values and operational flexibility with asymmetric switching costs. We further identify conditions uncovering a non-conventional impact of resulting path-dependencies on the investment-uncertainty relationship: higher uncertainty and lower asset return shortfall (“dividend yield”) may expedite, rather than delay, corporate investment. High switching costs, operating constraints, and economic depreciation may reduce or eliminate these non-conventional effects.