Production Representation

A production system can be represented through multiple complementary abstractions.

Each representation captures different structural aspects of how inputs, processes, and technologies combine to generate outputs.

Representation Aspect	Description
Production Function	A mathematical mapping that relates input quantities to maximum attainable output under a given technology. Captures the technological frontier, substitution patterns, scale properties, and efficiency structure.
Production Network	A graph- or matrix-based representation of how multiple production stages, firms, or sectors are interconnected through input–output flows. Captures interdependencies, propagation of shocks, bottlenecks, supply chains, and system-level structure.