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Schooling and Distortions in a Vintage Capital Model

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  • Xavier Mateos-Planas

    (University of Southampton)

Abstract

This paper integrates the analysis of choices on education and on technology adoption to study international economic disparities. Two candidate explanations are considered: differences in distortions that affect the cost of technology adoption and differences in the effectivenss of schools. The implications of these two factors for differences in output per capita, educational attainment, and the age of technologies across-countries are assessed in a vintage capital model with technology-specific learning-by-doing. Predictions are obtained for a parameterized economy that matches US aggregate observations and evidence on learning. Differences in investment distortions produce plausible correlations only if the major role of education is to improve the ability to learn technologies. On the other hand, differences in school effectiveness produce plausible results only if the role of education is to provide a productive ability that is independent of learning. (Copyright: Elsevier)

Suggested Citation

  • Xavier Mateos-Planas, 2001. "Schooling and Distortions in a Vintage Capital Model," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 4(1), pages 127-158, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:red:issued:v:4:y:2001:i:1:p:127-158
    DOI: 10.1006/redy.2000.0104
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    Cited by:

    1. Caselli, Francesco, 2005. "Accounting for Cross-Country Income Differences," Handbook of Economic Growth, in: Philippe Aghion & Steven Durlauf (ed.), Handbook of Economic Growth, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 9, pages 679-741, Elsevier.
    2. Pedro Cavalcanti Ferreira & Samuel de Abreu Pessoa, 2007. "The Effects of Longevity and Distortions on Education and Retirement," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 10(3), pages 472-493, July.
    3. Samuel de Abreu Pess & Rafael Rob, 2002. "Vintage Capital, Distortions and Development," Penn CARESS Working Papers ee2dae6cb07096d09f83c7bca, Penn Economics Department.
    4. Mateos-Planas, Xavier, 2004. "Technology adoption with finite horizons," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 28(11), pages 2129-2154, October.
    5. Caselli, Francesco, 2005. "Accounting for cross-country income differences," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 3567, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Thomas Gries & Stefan Jungblut & Tim Krieger & Henning Meyer, 2019. "Economic Retirement Age and Lifelong Learning: A Theoretical Model With Heterogeneous Labor, Biased Technical Change and International Sourcing," German Economic Review, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 20(2), pages 129-170, May.
    7. Thomas Gries & Stefan Jungblut & Tim Krieger & Henning Meier, 2009. "Statutory Retirement Age and Lifelong Learning," Working Papers CIE 9, Paderborn University, CIE Center for International Economics.
    8. Dawid, H. & Harting, P. & Neugart, M., 2014. "Economic convergence: Policy implications from a heterogeneous agent model," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 54-80.
    9. Ferreira, Pedro Cavalcanti & Pessôa, Samuel de Abreu, 2003. "The costs of education, longevity and the poverty of nations," FGV EPGE Economics Working Papers (Ensaios Economicos da EPGE) 472, EPGE Brazilian School of Economics and Finance - FGV EPGE (Brazil).
    10. Huseyin cagri SAGLAM, 2002. "Optimal pattern of technology adoption under embodiment with a finite planning horizon : A multi-stage optimal control approach," LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES 2002031, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity

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