Markup cycles, dynamic misallocation, and amplification

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Theory
Year: 2014
Volume: 154
Issue: C
Pages: 126-161

Authors (3)

Opp, Marcus M. (Stockholm School of Economics) Parlour, Christine A. (not in RePEc) Walden, Johan (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We develop a tractable dynamic general equilibrium model of oligopolistic competition with a continuum of heterogeneous industries. Industries are exposed to aggregate and industry-specific productivity shocks. Firms in each industry set value-maximizing state-contingent markups, taking as given the behavior of all other industries. When consumers are risk-averse, industry markups are countercyclical with regards to the industry-specific component, but may be procyclical with regards to the aggregate shock. The general equilibrium dispersion of markups implied by the optimization of heterogeneous industries creates misallocation of labor across industries. The misallocation, in turn, generates aggregate welfare losses state-by-state that feed back into the industry problem via a representative agent's marginal utility of aggregate consumption. Misallocation dynamics may transmit industry-specific shocks, or amplify small aggregate shocks, and so lead to aggregate fluctuations through these feedback effects.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jetheo:v:154:y:2014:i:c:p:126-161
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-26