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Can capacity constraints explain asymmetries

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  • Knüppel, Malte

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the ability of a modified RBC model to reproduce asymmetries observed for macroeconomic variables over the business cycle. In order to replicate the empirical skewness of major U.S. macroeconomic variables, we introduce a capacity constraint into an otherwise prototypical RBC model. This constraint emerges due to the assumption of kinked marginal costs of utilization, where the kink is located at a utilization rate of 100 percent. We find that a model with a suitably calibrated cost function reproduces the empirical coefficients of skewness remarkably well.

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  • Knüppel, Malte, 2008. "Can capacity constraints explain asymmetries," Discussion Paper Series 1: Economic Studies 2008,01, Deutsche Bundesbank.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:bubdp1:7036
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    Cited by:

    1. Baum, Anja & Koester, Gerrit B., 2011. "The impact of fiscal policy on economic activity over the business cycle - evidence from a threshold VAR analysis," Discussion Paper Series 1: Economic Studies 2011,03, Deutsche Bundesbank.
    2. Moritz A. Roth, 2018. "International co-movements in recessions," Working Papers 1804, Banco de España.
    3. Chacko George & Florian Kuhn, 2019. "Business Cycle Implications of Capacity Constraints under Demand Shocks," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 32, pages 94-121, April.
    4. Atolia, Manoj & Gibson, John & Marquis, Milton, 2018. "Asymmetry And The Amplitude Of Business Cycle Fluctuations: A Quantitative Investigation Of The Role Of Financial Frictions," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(2), pages 279-306, March.
    5. Xu Zhang & Xiaoxing Liu & Jianqin Hang & Dengbao Yao, 2018. "The dynamic causality between commodity prices, inflation and output in China: a bootstrap rolling window approach," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(4), pages 407-425, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Capacity utilization; capacity constraints; asymmetry; RBC model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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