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Estimating production functions with robustness against errors in the proxy variables

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  • Hu, Yingyao
  • Huang, Guofang
  • Sasaki, Yuya

Abstract

This paper proposes a new approach to the identification and estimation of production functions. It extends the literature on the structural estimation of production functions, which dates back to the seminal work of Olley and Pakes (1996), by relaxing the scalar-unobservable assumption about the proxy variables. The key additional assumption needed in the identification argument is the existence of two conditionally independent proxy variables. The proposed generalized method of moment (GMM) estimator is flexible and straightforward to apply. The method is applied to study how rapidly firms in the Chilean food-product industry adjust their inputs in response to shocks to their productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Hu, Yingyao & Huang, Guofang & Sasaki, Yuya, 2020. "Estimating production functions with robustness against errors in the proxy variables," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 215(2), pages 375-398.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:econom:v:215:y:2020:i:2:p:375-398
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeconom.2019.05.024
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    Cited by:

    1. Mike G. Tsionas & Subal C. Kumbhakar, 2023. "Proxy variable estimation of productivity and efficiency," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 89(3), pages 885-923, January.
    2. Ioannis Bournakis & Mike Tsionas, 2024. "A Non‐parametric Estimation of Productivity with Idiosyncratic and Aggregate Shocks: The Role of Research and Development (R&D) and Corporate Tax," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 86(3), pages 641-671, June.
    3. Manuel Arellano & Stéphane Bonhomme, 2017. "Nonlinear Panel Data Methods for Dynamic Heterogeneous Agent Models," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 9(1), pages 471-496, September.
    4. Tong Li & Yuya Sasaki, 2017. "Constructive Identification of Heterogeneous Elasticities in the Cobb-Douglas Production Function," Papers 1711.10031, arXiv.org.
    5. Alvaro Aguirre & Matias Tapia & Lucciano Villacorta, 2021. "Production, Investment and Wealth Dynamics under Financial Frictions: An Empirical Investigation of the Selffinancing Channel," Working Papers Central Bank of Chile 904, Central Bank of Chile.
    6. Hu, Yingyao & Huang, Guofang & Sasaki, Yuya, 2020. "Estimating production functions with robustness against errors in the proxy variables," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 215(2), pages 375-398.
    7. Li, Tong & Sasaki, Yuya, 2024. "Identification of heterogeneous elasticities in gross-output production functions," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 238(2).
    8. Dibyendu Maiti & Chiranjib Neogi, 2024. "Endogeneity-corrected stochastic frontier with market imperfections," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 67(3), pages 1149-1183, September.
    9. Chen Yeh & Claudia Macaluso & Brad Hershbein, 2022. "Monopsony in the US Labor Market," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 112(7), pages 2099-2138, July.
    10. Manuel Arellano & Stéphane Bonhomme, 2017. "Nonlinear Panel Data Methods for Dynamic Heterogeneous Agent Models," Working Papers wp2018_1703, CEMFI.
    11. Kim, Kyoo il & Petrin, Amil & Song, Suyong, 2016. "Estimating production functions with control functions when capital is measured with error," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 190(2), pages 267-279.
    12. Abito, Jose Miguel, 2019. "Estimating Production Functions with Fixed Effects," MPRA Paper 97825, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Chen, Hanxue & Wang, Shuhong & Song, Malin, 2021. "Global Environmental Value Chain Embeddedness and Enterprise Production Efficiency Improvement," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 278-290.
    14. Mike G. Tsionas & Subal C. Kumbhakar, 2023. "Productivity and Performance: A GMM approach," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 85(2), pages 331-344, April.
    15. Daniel A. Ackerberg & Kevin Caves & Garth Frazer, 2015. "Identification Properties of Recent Production Function Estimators," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 83, pages 2411-2451, November.
    16. Ainagul T. Mamyralieva & Aziza B. Karbekova & Gulchehra B. Abdyrahmanova, 2022. "Analysis of the economic sectors? sustainability of the Kyrgyz Republic," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(2), pages 185-204.
    17. Emir Malikov & Jingfang Zhang & Shunan Zhao & Subal C. Kumbhakar, 2023. "Accounting for Cross-Location Technological Heterogeneity in the Measurement of Operations Efficiency and Productivity," Papers 2302.13430, arXiv.org.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Production functions; Proxy variables; Instrumental variables; Optimization errors; Measurement errors;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General

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