The micro elasticity of substitution and non‐neutral technology

A-Tier
Journal: RAND Journal of Economics
Year: 2019
Volume: 50
Issue: 1
Pages: 147-167

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

This article provides evidence on the micro capital‐labor elasticity of substitution and the bias of technology. Using data on US manufacturing plants, I find several facts inconsistent with a Cobb‐Douglas production function, including large, persistent variation in capital shares. I then estimate the elasticity using variation in local wages, and several instruments for them, for identification. Estimates of the substitution elasticity using all plants range between 0.3 and 0.5, with similar estimates across industries. I use these elasticity estimates to measure labor augmenting productivity, and find that labor augmenting productivity is highly persistent, and correlated with exports, size, and growth.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:randje:v:50:y:2019:i:1:p:147-167
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29