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Investment, Capacity, and Uncertainty: A Putty-Clay Approach

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  • Simon Gilchrist
  • John C. Williams

Abstract

We embed the microeconomic decisions associated with investment under uncertainty, capacity utilization, and machine replacement in a general equilibrium model based on putty-clay technology. In the presence of irreversible factor proportions, a mean-preserving spread in the productivity of investment raises aggregate investment, productivity, and output. Increases in uncertainty have important dynamic implications, causing sustained increases in investment and hours and a medium-term expansion in the growth rate of labor productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Gilchrist & John C. Williams, 2004. "Investment, Capacity, and Uncertainty: A Putty-Clay Approach," NBER Working Papers 10446, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:10446
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity

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