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Firm-Specific Capital, Productivity Shocks and Investment Dynamics

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  • Francesco Giuli
  • Massimiliano Tancioni

Abstract

The theoretical literature on business cycles predicts a positive investment response to productivity improvements. In this work we question this prediction from theoretical and empirical standpoints. We fi…rst show that a negative short-term response of investment to a positive technology shock is consistent with a plausibly parameterized new Keynesian DSGE model in which capital is …rm-speci…c and monetary policy is not fully accommodative. Employing Bayesian techniques, we then provide evidence that permanent productivity improvements have short-term contractionary e¤ects on investment. Even if this result emerges in both the …rm-speci…c and rental capital speci…cations, only with the former the estimated average price duration is in line with microeconometric evidence. In the …rm-speci…c capital model, strategic complementarity in price setting leads to a degree of price inertia which is higher than that implied by the frequency at which …rms change their prices.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Giuli & Massimiliano Tancioni, 2009. "Firm-Specific Capital, Productivity Shocks and Investment Dynamics," Working Papers in Public Economics 120, University of Rome La Sapienza, Department of Economics and Law.
    • Handle: RePEc:sap:wpaper:wp120
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Giuli & Massimiliano Tancioni, 2010. "Contractionary Effects of Supply Shocks: Evidence and Theoretical Interpretation," Working Papers in Public Economics 131, University of Rome La Sapienza, Department of Economics and Law.
    2. Giovanni Di Bartolomeo & Lorenza Rossi & Massimiliano Tancioni, 2011. "Monetary policy, rule-of-thumb consumers and external habits: a G7 comparison," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(21), pages 2721-2738.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Â…rm-speciÂ…c capital; NK-DSGE model; technology shocks; investment dynamics; Bayesian inference.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • C11 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Bayesian Analysis: General

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