We consider a firm's production and sales decisions for an age-based product (e.g. whiskey, wine, or cheese) whose value increases with aging. The firm has been selling only a younger aged product but is considering introducing a new product by setting some of its production aside to age longer....

We investigate the cost of the opportunity delayed by working on one project with uncertain success rather than searching for a new project. We answer the question: how long should a firm work on a research project with uncertain success before abandoning it if the only alternative is to search...