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Unemployment, Capital-Labor Substitution, and Economic Growth

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  • Mr. Bob Rowthorn

Abstract

This paper discusses the influence of economic growth on the equilibrium unemployment rate (NAIRU). It examines how income distribution and the NAIRU are influenced by capital formation, technical progress, and labor force expansion, and how these factors’ impact depends on the elasticity of substitution between capital and labor. The paper distinguishes between the short-run NAIRU when capital stock is exogenous, and the long-run NAIRU when it is endogenous. It also considers how the analysis must be modified to take into account Keynesian ideas concerning the role of aggregate demand. It concludes that unless the capital stock grows in line with labor supply in efficiency units, the short-run NAIRU will increase, reducing the scope for demand stimulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Bob Rowthorn, 1999. "Unemployment, Capital-Labor Substitution, and Economic Growth," IMF Working Papers 1999/043, International Monetary Fund.
  • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:1999/043
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Berthold, Norbert & Fehn, Rainer & Thode, Eric, 1999. "Rigide Arbeitsmärkte und ungleiche Einkommensverteilung: Ein unlösbares Dilemma?," Discussion Paper Series 31, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Chair of Economic Order and Social Policy.
    2. Engelbert Stockhammer & Rob Calvert Jump, 2022. "An Estimation of Unemployment Hysteresis," Working Papers PKWP2221, Post Keynesian Economics Society (PKES).
    3. Norbert Berthold & Rainer Fehn & Eric Thode, 2002. "Falling Labor Share and Rising Unemployment: Long–Run Consequences of Institutional Shocks?," German Economic Review, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 3(4), pages 431-459, November.
    4. Engelbert Stockhammer & Erik Klär, 2011. "Capital accumulation, labour market institutions and unemployment in the medium run," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 35(2), pages 437-457.
    5. Nicolaus Tideman & Ebere Akobundu & Andrew Johns & Prapaiporn Wutthicharoen, 2002. "The Avoidable Excess Burden of Broad-Based U.S. Taxes," Public Finance Review, , vol. 30(5), pages 416-441, September.
    6. Tyrowicz, Joanna, 2009. "When Eastern Labour Markets Enter Western Europe CEECs. Labour Market Institutions upon Euro Zone Accession," MPRA Paper 15045, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Federici, Daniela & Saltari, Enrico, 2018. "Elasticity Of Substitution And Technical Progress: Is There A Misspecification Problem?," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(1), pages 101-121, January.
    8. Sergio De Nardis & Francesca Parente, 2022. "Technology and task changes in the major EU countries," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 40(2), pages 391-413, April.
    9. Andrzej Wojtyna, 2009. "Przyczyny i implikacje zmian w udziale zysków i płac w PKB," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 9, pages 49-66.
    10. Nicolas CARNOT & Alain QUINET, 2003. "Enrichissement de la croissance en emploi et productivité," Discussion Papers (REL - Recherches Economiques de Louvain) 2003014, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    11. Alain Serres & Stefano Scarpetta & Christine Maisonneuve, 2001. "Falling Wage Shares in Europe and the United States: How Important is Aggregation Bias?," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 28(4), pages 375-401, December.
    12. Engelbert Stockhammer, 2003. "NAIRU-Theorie und keynesianische Ökonomie," Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft - WuG, Kammer für Arbeiter und Angestellte für Wien, Abteilung Wirtschaftswissenschaft und Statistik, vol. 29(2), pages 189-213.
    13. Ioanna C. Bardakas, 2016. "Structural and cyclical factors of Greece’s current account balances: a note," Working Papers 206, Bank of Greece.
    14. Wachter, Till von, 2001. "Employment and productivity growth in service and manufacturing sectors in France, Germany and the US," Working Paper Series 0050, European Central Bank.
    15. Takashi Ohno, 2006. "On the Effects of Wage Pressure on the Unemployment Rate and Capital Share," German Economic Review, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 7(4), pages 389-401, November.
    16. World Bank, 2001. "Egypt : Social and Structural Review," World Bank Publications - Reports 15535, The World Bank Group.
    17. Nicolas Carnot & Alain Quinet, 2003. "Enrichissement de la croissance en emploi et productivité," Recherches économiques de Louvain, De Boeck Université, vol. 69(1), pages 97-118.

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