The multiplier effect of total factor productivity on aggregate output in the one-sector neoclassical growth model is well known, but what about the effects of regional productivity levels on the aggregate output as well as other national and regional variables? This paper studies the impact of productivity changes in the goods sector and the transportation sector in a general equilibrium trade model where agents in each location produce different varieties of a common set of goods. Wages are assumed to be equalized in nominal terms across locations, with differences in purchasing power (due to trade costs) offset by agents' preferences for particular locations in the initial steady-state. Instead of assuming iceberg costs, a transportation sector is modeled to allow an efficient distribution of workers across the production and transportation sectors. The state level data from the U.S. support the model, and the comparative statics exercises have several implications on the national and state-level variables of the U.S. economy. It is shown that if the national production technology level (i.e., the production technology level in each region) is doubled, the national output increases by 5 times, the price dispersion across regions increases by 20%, the population dispersion across regions decreases by 1%, and the ratio of production labor force to transportation labor force increases by 10 times. As the transportation costs approach zero, the national output increases by more than 10 times, the price dispersion across regions decreases by 20%, the population dispersion across regions increases by 1%, and the ratio of production labor force to transportation labor force increases by 5 times.
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Paper provided by University Library of Munich, Germany in its series MPRA Paper with number
16838.
Find related papers by JEL classification: R13 - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General Equilibrium and Welfare Economic Analysis of Regional Economies R32 - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics - - Production Analysis and Firm Location - - - Other Production and Pricing Analysis R12 - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
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References listed on IDEAS Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
James E. Anderson & Eric van Wincoop, 2004.
"Trade Costs,"
NBER Working Papers
10480, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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Other versions:
James E. Anderson & Eric van Wincoop, 2004.
"Trade Costs,"
Journal of Economic Literature,
American Economic Association, vol. 42(3), pages 691-751, September.
[Downloadable!] (restricted)