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Biased Technical Change, Intermediate Goods, And Total Factor Productivity

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  • Moro, Alessio

Abstract

In this paper I show that the intensity at which intermediate goods are used in the production process affects aggregate total factor productivity (TFP). To do this, I construct an input–output model economy in which firms produce gross output by means of a production function in capital, labor, and intermediate goods. This production function is subject, together with the standard neutral technical change, to intermediates-biased technical change. Positive (negative) intermediates-biased technical change implies a decline (increase) in the elasticity of gross output with respect to intermediate goods. In equilibrium, this elasticity appears as an explicit part of TFP in the value added aggregate production function. In particular, when the elasticity of gross output with respect to intermediates increases, aggregate TFP declines. I use the model to quantify the impact of intermediates-biased technical change for measured TFP growth in Italy. The exercise shows that intermediates-biased technical change can account for the productivity slowdown observed in Italy from 1994 to 2004.

Suggested Citation

  • Moro, Alessio, 2012. "Biased Technical Change, Intermediate Goods, And Total Factor Productivity," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 16(2), pages 184-203, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:macdyn:v:16:y:2012:i:02:p:184-203_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Nikolay Chernyshev, 2018. "From Productivity Shifts to Economic Growth: Intersectoral Linkage as an Amplifying Factor," CDMA Working Paper Series 201801, Centre for Dynamic Macroeconomic Analysis.
    2. Yi-Ling Cheng & Juin-Jen Chang, 2017. "The Quality of Intermediate Goods: Growth and Welfare Implications," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 93(302), pages 434-447, September.
    3. Cristiano Antonelli & Christophe Feder, 2020. "Total factor productivity, catch-up and technological congruence in Italy, 1861–2010," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 30(4), pages 1171-1194, September.
    4. Po-Chi Chen & Ming-Miin Yu, 2014. "Total factor productivity growth and directions of technical change bias: evidence from 99 OECD and non-OECD countries," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 214(1), pages 143-165, March.
    5. Jan, Grobovsek, 2013. "Development Accounting Within Intermediate Goods," SIRE Discussion Papers 2013-42, Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
    6. Caunedo, Julieta, 2020. "Aggregate fluctuations and the industry structure of the US economy," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    7. Manoj Atolia & Ryan Chahrour, 2020. "Intersectoral Linkages, Diverse Information, and Aggregate Dynamics," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 36, pages 270-292, April.
    8. Sonam Choudhry, 2025. "Composition of Intermediate Inputs: Detangling Price and Quantity Effect," Journal of Quantitative Economics, Springer;The Indian Econometric Society (TIES), vol. 23(1), pages 137-157, March.
    9. Thomas Strobel, 2013. "Embodied Technology Diffusion and Sectoral Productivity Evidence for 12 OECD Countries," ifo Working Paper Series 156, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    10. Ryan Chahrour & Manoj Atolia, 2015. "Intersectoral Linkages, Diverse Information, and Aggregate Dynamics in a Neoclassical Model," 2015 Meeting Papers 398, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    11. Jan Grobovsek, 2013. "Development Accounting with Intermediate Goods," Edinburgh School of Economics Discussion Paper Series 223, Edinburgh School of Economics, University of Edinburgh.
    12. Chen, Xi, 2017. "Biased Technical Change, Scale, And Factor Substitution In U.S. Manufacturing Industries," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(2), pages 488-514, March.
    13. Choudhry, Sonam, 2021. "Is India's formal manufacturing sector ‘hollowing out’- importance of intermediate input," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 533-547.
    14. Hiroaki HAYAKAWA, 2016. "Theory of the Firm: A Reformulation with Primary Factors of Production and Procurement of Ingredient Inputs," Journal of Economics and Political Economy, EconSciences Journals, vol. 3(3), pages 418-439, September.
    15. Qizheng Gao & Jianqing Zhang & Guo Chen, 2023. "Firm heterogeneity, biased technological change, and total factor productivity: Evidence from China," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 60(2), pages 147-177, October.
    16. Hiroaki HAYAKAWA, 2016. "Theory of the Firm: A Reformulation with Primary Factors of Production and Procurement of Ingredient Inputs," Journal of Economics and Political Economy, KSP Journals, vol. 3(3), pages 418-439, September.
    17. Grobovšek Jan, 2018. "Development accounting with intermediate goods," The B.E. Journal of Macroeconomics, De Gruyter, vol. 18(1), pages 1-27, January.
    18. Julio Leal, 2018. "Key sectors in Mexico's economic development: a perspective from input-output linkages with sector-specific distortions," 2018 Meeting Papers 571, Society for Economic Dynamics.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts
    • E25 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Aggregate Factor Income Distribution
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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