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Technology Shocks and Business Cycles: The Role of Processing Stages and Nominal Rigidities

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  • Louis Phaneuf
  • Nooman Rebei

Abstract

This paper develops and estimates a dynamic general equilibrium model that realistically accounts for an input-output linkage between firms operating at different stages of processing. Firms face technological change which is specific to their processing stage and charge new prices according to stage-specific Calvo-probabilities. Only a fixed fraction of households have an opportunity to adjust nominal wages to new information each period. Intermediate-stage technology shocks account for the bulk of output variability at business cycle frequencies, while final-stage technology shocks do not explain much. Although technology shocks drive the business cycle, the model predicts weakly procyclical real wages, and a near-zero correlation between return to working and hours worked. Furthermore, the model has rich implications for the dynamics of business cycles.

Suggested Citation

  • Louis Phaneuf & Nooman Rebei, 2007. "Technology Shocks and Business Cycles: The Role of Processing Stages and Nominal Rigidities," Staff Working Papers 07-7, Bank of Canada.
    • Handle: RePEc:bca:bocawp:07-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Business fluctuations and cycles; Economic models;

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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