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Sticky wages and sectoral labor comovement

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  • DiCecio, Riccardo

Abstract

A defining feature of business cycles is the comovement of inputs at the sectoral level with aggregate activity. Standard models cannot account for this phenomenon. This paper develops and estimates a two-sector dynamic general equilibrium model that can account for this key regularity. My model incorporates three shocks to the economy: monetary policy shocks, neutral technology shocks, and embodied technology shocks in the capital-producing sector. The estimated model is able to account for the response of the U.S. economy to all three shocks. Using this model, I argue that the key friction underlying sectoral comovement is rigidity in nominal wages.

Suggested Citation

  • DiCecio, Riccardo, 2009. "Sticky wages and sectoral labor comovement," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 538-553, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:33:y:2009:i:3:p:538-553
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