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The real exchange rate and the structure of aggregate production

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  • Ulrich Kohli
  • Jean-Marc Natal

Abstract

This paper proposes a new, production theory approach to the determination of the real exchange rate, which is defined as the relative price of traded to nontraded goods as is common in the international trade literature. Using a Translog real GDI function that describes the aggregate technology of an open economy as a starting point, the real exchange rate can be formally derived as a function of domestic excess savings, the terms of trade, relative factor endowments and technological progress. Empirical results for Switzerland suggest that the main drivers of the real exchange rate are the terms of trade, followed by relative factor endowments. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the Balassa-Samuelson effect does not seem to play a significant role in explaining the long-term real appreciation of the Swiss franc. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Ulrich Kohli & Jean-Marc Natal, 2014. "The real exchange rate and the structure of aggregate production," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jproda:v:42:y:2014:i:1:p:1-13
    DOI: 10.1007/s11123-013-0356-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Christoph Sax & Rolf Weder, 2009. "How to Explain the High Prices in Switzerland?," Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics (SJES), Swiss Society of Economics and Statistics (SSES), vol. 145(IV), pages 463-483, December.
    2. Maurice Obstfeld, 2009. "Time of Troubles: The Yen and Japan's Economy, 1985-2008," NBER Working Papers 14816, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Phillip Edmund Metaxas & Ernst Juerg Weber, 2016. "An Australian Contribution to International Trade Theory: The Dependent Economy Model," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 92(298), pages 464-497, September.
    4. Noel GASTON & YOSHIMI Taiyo, 2020. "Heterogenous Job Separations and the Balassa-Samuelson Effect," Discussion papers 20032, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    5. Gaston, Noel & Yoshimi, Taiyo, 2023. "The Balassa-Samuelson model with job separations," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    6. Ulrich Kohli, 2022. "Trading Gains and Productivity: A Törnqvist Approach," International Productivity Monitor, Centre for the Study of Living Standards, vol. 42, pages 63-86, Spring.
    7. D. S. Prasada Rao & Alicia N. Rambaldi & Bert M. Balk, 2015. "On Measuring Regional or Global Growth and Inflation," Discussion Papers Series 552, School of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Real exchange rate; Technological change; Terms of trade; Factor intensity; Middle products; Nontraded goods; F11; O47; C43; D33;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F11 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Neoclassical Models of Trade
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • C43 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Index Numbers and Aggregation
    • D33 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Factor Income Distribution

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