On the Matthew effect on Individual Investments into Skills in Arts, Sports and Science

Yegorov, Y., Wirl, F., Grass, D., Eigruber, M., & Feichtinger, G. (2020). On the Matthew effect on Individual Investments into Skills in Arts, Sports and Science. IIASA Working Paper. Laxenburg, Austria: WP-20-009

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Abstract

The paper describes the process of capital accumulation subject to the following characteristics: (i) convex returns to (human) capital; (ii) the need to self _nance the investment. This set up is applicable to explain some peculiarities in arts, sports and science, inter alia, the \Matthew effect" coined in Merton (1968) to explain why prominent researchers get disproportional credit for their work. The potential young artist's (or sportsman's or even scientist's) optimal strategies include quitting, or continuing and even expanding one's human capital in a profession. Both outcomes are separated by a threshold level in human capital. In addition, it can be optimal to stay in business although consumption falls and stays at the subsistence level (we call this outcome a \Sisyphus point").

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