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Multi-Plant Firms, Variable Capacity Utilization, and the Aggregate Hours Elasticity

Author

Listed:
  • Domenico Ferraro

    (Arizona State University)

  • Damián Pierri

    (ESCP Business School - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid)

Abstract

We develop an equilibrium business cycle model of multi-plant firms with perfectly competitive product and labor markets. Plant-level production features a minimumlabor requirement, leading to occasionally binding capacity constraints at the firm level. The aggregate production function is kinked, displaying constant returns toscale when the economy is below capacity and decreasing returns when at capacity. We calibrate the model to U.S. data and show that the effects of distorting taxes are highly nonlinear and state-dependent, varying systematically with the state of the business cycle. The aggregate hours elasticity is higher in recessions and decreases with the size of the labor tax cut. Moreover, it differs from the structural preference parameter determining the individual-level labor supply elasticity.

Suggested Citation

  • Domenico Ferraro & Damián Pierri, 2024. "Multi-Plant Firms, Variable Capacity Utilization, and the Aggregate Hours Elasticity," Working Papers 341, Red Nacional de Investigadores en Economía (RedNIE).
    • Handle: RePEc:aoz:wpaper:341
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    File URL: https://rednie.eco.unc.edu.ar/files/DT/341.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raj Chetty & John N. Friedman & Tore Olsen & Luigi Pistaferri, 2011. "Adjustment Costs, Firm Responses, and Micro vs. Macro Labor Supply Elasticities: Evidence from Danish Tax Records," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 126(2), pages 749-804.
    2. Raj Chetty & Adam Guren & Day Manoli & Andrea Weber, 2013. "Does Indivisible Labor Explain the Difference between Micro and Macro Elasticities? A Meta-Analysis of Extensive Margin Elasticities," NBER Macroeconomics Annual, University of Chicago Press, vol. 27(1), pages 1-56.
    3. Mirman, Leonard J. & Morand, Olivier F. & Reffett, Kevin L., 2008. "A qualitative approach to Markovian equilibrium in infinite horizon economies with capital," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 139(1), pages 75-98, March.
    4. Domenico Ferraro, 2023. "Fast Rises, Slow Declines: Asymmetric Unemployment Dynamics with Matching Frictions," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 55(2-3), pages 349-378, March.
    5. Richard Rogerson, 2011. "Individual and Aggregate Labor Supply with Coordinated Working Times," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 43(s1), pages 7-37, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Minimum labor requirement; Hours constraints; Capacity utilization; State dependence; Labor taxes; Aggregate hours elasticity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies

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