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Is Rising Returns to Scale a Figment of Poor Data?

Author

Listed:
  • Hansen, Sten

    (Ministry of Finance, SE-103 33 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Lindström, Tomas

    (National Institute of Economic Research)

Abstract

While using detailed firm-level data from the private business sector, this study identifies two empirical puzzles: (i) returns-to-scale (RTS) parameter estimates rise at higher levels of data aggregation, and (ii) estimates from the firm level suggest decreasing returns to scale. The analysis shows that, although consistent with rising estimates, the Basu-Fernald (1997) aggregation-bias effect does not drive this result. Rather, rising and too low returns-to-scale estimates probably reflect a mixture of random errors in factor inputs. It turns out, in fact, that a 7.5-10 percent error in labor (hours worked) can explain both puzzles.

Suggested Citation

  • Hansen, Sten & Lindström, Tomas, 2004. "Is Rising Returns to Scale a Figment of Poor Data?," Working Papers 91, National Institute of Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:nierwp:0091
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sala-i-Martin, Xavier X, 1996. "A Positive Theory of Social Security," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 277-304, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Business cycles; Data aggregation; External economies; Factor hoarding; Firm-level data; Monte Carlo simulation; Random errors; Returns to scale;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • L60 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - General

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