kostenkäters
Kostenkäters is a neologism used in some German-language economic and organizational theory writings to describe actors, practices, or conditions that elevate the cost of producing, delivering, or maintaining a product or service. The term is not part of core economics and does not refer to a specific industry; rather, it signals recurring friction points that raise total costs.
Etymology: The compound combines Kosten (cost) with a derived suffix in theoretical jargon. Its usage remains
Definition and scope: A Kostenkäter is any element that adds to the cost base without adding commensurate
Mechanisms: Examples include information asymmetry between buyer and seller, principal-agent problems, contractual complexity, and administrative overhead.
Measurement and mitigation: Analysts may quantify costs through transaction-cost frameworks or activity-based costing. Policy design to
Reception and criticism: Critics argue the term is vague and lacks empirical grounding. Proponents find it
See also: transaction costs, principal-agent problem, bureaucratic overhead, regulatory burden, cost of compliance.