Showing papers on "Physical capital published in 1998"

Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, and the Organizational Advantage

Abstract: Scholars of the theory of the firm have begun to emphasize the sources and conditions of what has been described as “the organizational advantage,” rather than focus on the causes and consequences of market failure. Typically, researchers see such organizational advantage as accruing from the particular capabilities organizations have for creating and sharing knowledge. In this article we seek to contribute to this body of work by developing the following arguments: (1) social capital facilitates the creation of new intellectual capital; (2) organizations, as institutional settings, are conducive to the development of high levels of social capital; and (3) it is because of their more dense social capital that firms, within certain limits, have an advantage over markets in creating and sharing intellectual capital. We present a model that incorporates this overall argument in the form of a series of hypothesized relationships between different dimensions of social capital and the main mechanisms and proces...

Why Do Some Countries Produce so Much More Output Per Worker than Others

Abstract: Output per worker varies enormously across countries. Why? On an accounting basis, our analysis shows that differences in physical capital and educational attainment can only partially explain the variation in output per worker--we find a large amount of variation in the level of the Solow residual across countries. At a deeper level, we document that the differences in capital accumulation, productivity, and therefore output per worker are driven by differences in institutions and government policies, which we call social infrastructure. We treat social infrastructure as endogenous, determined historically by location and other factors captured in part by language.

Research, Innovation, and Productivity: An Econometric Analysis at the Firm Level

Abstract: This paper studies the links between productivity, innovation and research at th level. We introduce three new features: (i) A structural model that explains pro by innovation output, and innovation output by research investment; (ii) New dat manufacturing firms, including the number of European patents and the percentage sales, as well as firm-level demand pull and technology push indicators; (iii) E which correct for selectivity and simultaneity biases and take into account the features of the available data: only a small proportion of firms engage in resea apply for patents; productivity, innovation and research are endogenously determ investment and capital are truncated variables, patents are count data and innov We find that using the more widespread methods, and the more usual data and mode may lead to sensibly different estimates. We find in particular that simultaneit with selectivity, and that both sources of biases must be taken into account tog results are consistent with many of the stylized facts of the empirical literatu of engaging in research (R&D) for a firm increases with its size (number of empl share and diversification, and with the demand pull and technology push indicato capital intensity) of a firm engaged in research increases with the same variabl research capital being strictly proportional to size). The firm innovation outpu patent numbers or innovative sales, rises with its research effort and with the indicators, either directly or indirectly through their effects on research. Fin correlates positively with an higher innovation output, even when controlling fo the skill composition of labor as well as for physical capital intensity.

The Legal Environment, Banks, and Long-Run Economic Growth

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between the legal system and banlding development and traces this connection through to long-run rates of per capita GDP growth, capital stock growth, and productivity growth. The data indicate that countries where the legal system (1) emphasizes creditor rights and (2) rigorously enforces contracts have better-developed banks than countries where laws do not give a high priority to creditors and where enforcement is lax. Furtherrnore, the exogenous component of banking development-the component defined by the legal environment-is positively and robustly associated with per capita growth, physical capital accumulation, and productivity growth. THIS PAPER ADDRESSES TWO QUESTIONS. First, do crosscountry differences in the legal rights of creditors, the efficiency of contract enforcement, and the origin of the legal system explain cross-country differences in the level of banking development? Second, do better-developed banks cause faster economic development; that is, is the component of banking development defined by the legal environment positively associated with long-run rates of economic growth, capital accumulation, and productivity growth? Examining the relationship between the legal system and banking development is valuable irrespective of issues associated with long-run growth. First, banks may influence the level of income per capita and the magnitude of cyclical fluctuations (Bernanke and Gertler 1989, 1990). Second, many economists stress that understanding the evolution of legal and financial systems is essential for understanding economic development (North 1981; Engerman and Sokoloff 1996). Consequently, quantitative information on the relationship between the legal environment and banks will improve our understanding of business cycles and the process of economic development. Furthermore, examining the causal links between banks and economic growth has both conceptual and policy implications. On the conceptual front, a long literature debates the importance of banks in economic development. Starting as early as Bagehot (1873), economists have argued that better banks banks that are better at identifying creditworthy firms, mobilizing savings, pooling risks, and facilitating transactions

On the Costs of a Bank-Centered Financial System: Evidence from the Changing Main Bank Relations in Japan

Abstract: We examine the effects of bank-firm relationships on firm performance in Japan. When access to capital markets is limited, close bank-firm ties increase the availability of capital to borrowing firms, but do not lead to higher profitability or growth. The cost of capital of firms with close bank ties is higher than that of their peers. This indicates that most of the benefits from these relationships are appropriated by the banks. Finally, the slow growth rates of bank clients suggest that banks discourage firms from investing in risky, profitable projects. However, liberalization of financial markets reduces the banks' market power. THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN manufacturing firms and financial institutions in Japan has recently been at the center of the debate on the appropriate financial system for the reforming economies of Eastern Europe. As opposed to the Anglo-Saxon separation of finance and industry, long-term ties between main banks and their client firms (involving bank loans, bank equity holding, and some bank-appointed personnel), which are common in Japan and Germany, have often been described as a growth-oriented financial system that could serve the needs of developing and reformed economiies better than anonymous capital markets modeled after the Arnerican and British financial systems. The claim that close ties between investmentoriented banks and industrial firms could help overcome the difficulties of "relative backwardness" dates back to Gerschenkron (1962) who investigates European development. Rosovsky (1961) applies Gerschenkron's framework to the analysis of Japanese growth. More recently, Aoki, Patrick, and Sheard (1994), Hoshi, Kashyap, and Loveman (1994), and Teranishi (1993), among others, portray the close ties between finance and industry in Japan as an important factor in the international competitiveness of modern Japanese

Social capital : the missing link?

Abstract: Sustainable development has been defined as a process whereby future generations receive as much capital per capita as--or more than--the current generation has available (Serageldin). Traditionally, this has included natural capital, physical or produced capital, and human capital. Together they constitute the wealth of nations and form the basis of economic development and growth. In this process the composition of capital changes. Some natural capital will be depleted and transformed into physical capital. The latter will depreciate, and we expect technology to yield a more efficient replacement. This century has seen a massive accumulation of human capital. It has now become recognized that these three types of capital determine only partially the process of economic growth because they overlook the way in which the economic actors interact and organize themselves to generate growth and development. The missing link is social capital. There is, however, no consensus about which aspects of interaction ad organization merit the label of social capital, nor in fact about the validity of the term capital to describe this. Least progress has been made in measuring social capital and in determining empirically its contribution to economic growth and development. This report addresses each of these issues in turn.

Global Markets and National Politics: Collision Course or Virtuous Circle?

Abstract: Increasing exposure to trade, foreign direct investment, and liquid capital mobility have not prompted a pervasive policy race to the neoliberal bottom among the OECD countries. One reason is that there are strong political incentives for governments to cushion the dislocations and risk generated by openness. Moreover, countries with large and expanding public economies (when balanced with increased revenues, even from capital taxes) have not suffered from capital flight or higher interest rates. This is because the modern welfare state, comprising income transfer programs and publicly provided social services, generates economically important collective goods that are undersupplied by markets and that actors are interested in productivity value. These range from the accumulation of human and physical capital to social stability under conditions of high market uncertainty to popular support for the market economy itself. As a result, arguments about the demise of national autonomy in the global economy are considerably overdrawn.

Mobility and Stability: The Dynamics of Job Change in Labor Markets

Abstract: Three central facts describe inter-firm worker mobility in modern labor markets: 1) long-term employment relationships are common, 2) most new jobs end early, and 3) the probability of a job ending declines with tenure. Models based on firm-specific capital provide a parsimonious explanation for these facts, but it also appears that worker heterogeneity in mobility rates can account for much of what we observe in these data. I investigate tests of the specific capital model and consider whether these tests are successful in distinguishing the specific capital model from a model based on heterogeneity. One approach uses longitudinal data with detailed mobility histories of workers. These analyses suggest that both heterogeneity and specific capital (implying true duration dependence in the hazard of job ending) appear to be significant factors in accounting for mobility patterns. A second approach is through estimation of the return to tenure in earnings functions. This is found to have several weaknesses including endogeneity of tenure and the lack of tight theoretical links between tenure and accumulated specific capital and between productivity and wages. A third approach is to use of data on the earnings experience of displaced workers. Several tests are derived based on these data, but there is generally an alternative heterogeneity-based explanation that makes interpretation difficult. Nonetheless, firms appear willing to pay to encourage long-term employment relationships, and they may do so because it is efficient to invest in their workforce. On this basis, I conclude that, while deriving convincing direct evidence for the specific capital model of mobility is difficult, it appears that specific capital is a useful construct for understanding worker mobility and wage dynamics.

Bank Capitalization and Cost: Evidence of Scale Economies in Risk Management and Signaling

Abstract: We amend the standard cost model to account for the role of financial capital in banking. The cost function is conditioned on the level of capital, but we model the demand for financial capital so that it can serve as a cushion against insolvency for potentially risk-averse managers and as a signal of risk for less informed outsiders. Scale economies are then computed without assuming that the bank chooses a level of capitalization that minimizes cost. We find evidence of substantial scale economies and that bank managers are risk averse and use the level of financial capital to signal the level of risk.

Measuring the Dynamic Gains from Trade

Abstract: The author investigates the links between trade policy and economic growth using data from a panel of 57 countries from 1970-89. This is the first attempt to empirically evaluate, in a cross-country context, the respective roles of various theories of dynamic gains from trade in explaining the observed positive impact of trade openness on economic growth. The author uses a new measure of trade openness, based on the effective policy component of trade shares, in a simultaneous equations system aimed at identifying the effect of trade policy on several determinants of growth. The results suggest that a policy of trade openness has a strong positive impact on economic growth. The accelerated accumulation of physical capital accounts for more than half this effect. Enhanced technological transmissions and improvements in the quality of macroeconomic policy each account for about 20 percent of the impact of trade openness on growth. This decomposition is robust to alternative specifications and time periods. The author also successfully tests whether the empirical methodology captures all or most of the effects of trade policy on growth. The lack of statistically significant results concerning several other channels may be due to measurement problems. The black market premium may be a weak proxy for the efficiency of the price system. Moreover, international technological transmissions are very hard to measure, so there may be a downward bias in the estimates based on the manufactured exports channel, and a corresponding overstatement of other channels.

Capital Accumulation and Innovation as Complementary Factors in Long-Run Growth

Abstract: We study capital accumulation and innovation as determinants of long-run growth by adding capital to our earlier model of creative destruction No special functional forms are imposed on the aggregate production function The equations describing perfect foresight equilibrium are identical to those of the augmented Ramsey-Cass-Koopmans model, except that the rate of technological change is a function of the stock of capital per effective worker Contrary to previous models, a subsidy to capital accumulation will raise the long-run growth rate The key assumption is that capital is used in R and D Some evidence is presented on the capital intensity of R and D

Inherited Wealth, Corporate Control and Economic Growth

Abstract: Countries in which billionaire heirs' wealth is large relative to G.D.P. grow more slowly; show signs of more political rent seeking, and spend less on innovation than do other countries at similar levels of development. In contrast, countries in which self-made entrepreneur billionaire wealth is large relative to G.D.P. grow more rapidly and show fewer signs of rent seeking. We argue that this is consistent with wealthy entrenched families having objectives other than creating public shareholder value. Also, the control pyramids through which they are entrenched give wealthy families preferential access to capital and enhanced lobbying power. These entrenched families also have vested interests in preserving the value of existing capital. To investigate these arguments, we explore firm-level Canadian data. Heir-controlled Canadian firms show low industry adjusted financial performance, labor capital ratios, and R&D spending relative to other firms the same ages and sizes. We argue that concentrated, inherited corporate control impedes growth, and dub this "the Canadian disease". Further research is needed to determine the international incidence of this condition. Finally, heir-controlled Canadian firms' share prices fell relative to those of comparable firms on the news that the Canada-U.S. free trade agreement would be ratified. A key provision of that treaty is capital market openness. Under the treaty, heir-controlled Canadian firms' labor capital ratios rose, while the incidence of heir-control fell. We suggest that openness, especially of capital markets, may mitigate the ill effects of concentrated inherited control. If so, capital market openness matters for reasons not captured by standard international trade and finance models.

Investment Tax Incentives, Prices, and the Supply of Capital Goods

Abstract: Using data on the prices of capital goods, this paper shows that much of the benefit of" investment tax incentives does not go to investing firms but rather to capital suppliers through" higher prices. The reduction in the cost of capital from a 10 percent investment tax credit" increases equipment prices 3.5-7.0 percent. This lasts several years and is largest for assets with" large order backlogs, low import competition, or with a large fraction of buyers able to use" investment subsidies. Capital goods workers' wages rise, too. Instrumental variables estimates" of the short-run supply elasticity are around 1 and can explain the traditionally small estimates of" investment demand elasticities. In absolute value, the demand elasticity implied here exceeds 1."

Changes in Poverty in Rural Ethiopia 1989-1995: Measurement, Robustness Tests and Decomposition

Abstract: Assessing changes in poverty levels over time is bedevilled by problems in questionnaire design, the choice of the poverty line, the exact timing of the survey and uncertainty about the appropriate cost-of-living deflators. In this paper, we focus on testing the robustness of measured changes in poverty to these common problems, using household panel data collected in rural Ethiopia in 1989, 1994 and 1995: in particular, we implement a simple graphical technique for assessing the impact of uncertainty in measured inflation rates. We find that poverty declined between 1989 and 1994, but remained virtually unchanged between 1994 and 1995. However, the last result disguises substantial seasonal fluctuations in 1994. We also find that households with substantial human and physical capital, and better access to roads and towns have both lower poverty levels and are more likely to get better off over time. Human capital and access to roads and towns also reduce the fluctuations in poverty across the seasons.

Public Investment, Congestion, and Private Capital Accumulation

Abstract: This paper analyses the impact of public investment on the dynamics of private capital formation in an intertemporal optimising market-clearing framework. The key feature characterising the analysis is that the public good is treated as a durable capital good, subject to congestion. We show how in the presence of congestion the effect of government investment on private capital formation involves a tradeoff between the degree of substitution between private and public capital in production and the degree of congestion. Both lump-sum and distortionary tax financing are considered, with this tradeoff being tightened in the latter case

Research, Innovation, and Productivity: an Econometric Analysis at the Firm Level

Abstract: This paper studies the links between productivity, innovation and research at th level. We introduce three new features: (i) A structural model that explains pro by innovation output, and innovation output by research investment; (ii) New dat manufacturing firms, including the number of European patents and the percentage sales, as well as firm-level demand pull and technology push indicators; (iii) E which correct for selectivity and simultaneity biases and take into account the features of the available data: only a small proportion of firms engage in resea apply for patents; productivity, innovation and research are endogenously determ investment and capital are truncated variables, patents are count data and innov We find that using the more widespread methods, and the more usual data and mode may lead to sensibly different estimates. We find in particular that simultaneit with selectivity, and that both sources of biases must be taken into account tog results are consistent with many of the stylized facts of the empirical literatu of engaging in research (R&D) for a firm increases with its size (number of empl share and diversification, and with the demand pull and technology push indicato capital intensity) of a firm engaged in research increases with the same variabl research capital being strictly proportional to size). The firm innovation outpu patent numbers or innovative sales, rises with its research effort and with the indicators, either directly or indirectly through their effects on research. Fin correlates positively with an higher innovation output, even when controlling fo the skill composition of labor as well as for physical capital intensity.

Tax Policy and Human-Capital Formation

Abstract: Missing from recent discussions of tax reform is any systematic analysis of the effects of various tax proposals on skill formation. This gap in the literature in empirical public finance is due to the absence of any empirically based general equilibrium models with both human capital formation and physical capital formation that are consistent with observations on modern labor markets. This paper is a progress report on our ongoing research on formulating and estimating dynamic general equilibrium models with endogenous heterogeneous human capital accumulation. Our model explains many features of rising wage inequality in the U.S. economy (James Heckman, Lance Lochner and Christopher Taber, 1998). In this paper, we use our model to study the impacts on skill formation of proposals to switch from progressive taxes to flat income and consumption taxes. For the sake of brevity, we focus on steady states in this paper, although we study both transitions and steady states in our research.

Capital Flows and the Behavior of Emerging Market Equity Returns

Abstract: Foreign portfolio flows may reflect deep changes in the functioning of an emerging market economy and its capital markets. Using a database of monthly net U.S. equity flows, we investigate the relation of these flows to the behavior of equity returns, the structural characteristics of the capital markets, exchange rates, and the strength of the economy. We find that increases in equity flows are associated with a lower cost of capital, higher correlation with world market returns, lower asset concentration, lower inflation, larger market size relative to GDP, more trade and slightly higher per capita economic growth.

Sequential Investments and Options to Own

Abstract: This paper analyses the investment incentives given by contingent ownership structures that are prevalent in joint ventures. We consider a variation of the standard hold-up problem where two parties make relationship-specific investments sequentially in order to generate a joint surplus in the future. In many interesting cases, including investments in human and in physical capital, the following ownership structure implements first-best investments: one party owns the firm initially, while the other party has the option to buy the firm at a set price at a later date. This result is robust to the possibility of renegotiation and uncertainty.

Sequential investments and options to own

Abstract: This paper analyses the investment incentives given by contingent ownership structures that are prevalent in joint ventures. We consider a variation of the standard hold-up problem where two parties make relationship-specific investments sequentially in order to generate a joint surplus in the future. In many interesting cases, including investments in human and in physical capital, the following ownership structure implements first-best investments: one party owns the firm initially, while the other party has the option to buy the firm at a set price at a later date. This result is robust to the possibility of renegotiation and uncertainty. ; Incomplete Contracts; Options and Convertible Securities; Property Rights

Tax Policy and Human-Capital Formation

Abstract: Missing from recent discussions of tax reform is any systematic analysis of the effects of various tax proposals on skill formation. This gap in the literature in empirical public finance is due to the absence of any empirically based general equilibrium models with both human capital formation and physical capital formation that are consistent with observations on modern labor markets. This paper is a progress report on our ongoing research on formulating and estimating dynamic general equilibrium models with endogenous heterogeneous human capital accumulation. Our model explains many features of rising wage inequality in the U.S. economy (James Heckman, Lance Lochner and Christopher Taber, 1998). In this paper, we use our model to study the impacts on skill formation of proposals to switch from progressive taxes to flat income and consumption taxes. For the sake of brevity, we focus on steady states in this paper, although we study both transitions and steady states in our research.

The economics of poverty, inequality and wealth accumulation in Mexico

Abstract: Introduction - The Problem: Income Distribution and Poverty in Mexico During Economic Liberalization - How Much Inequality Can Be Explained? - Decomposing the Changes in Inequality - Explaining Poverty - Explaining Changes in Poverty - The Effect of Poverty Alleviation Programs on Poverty - The Restrictions on the Accumulation of Human and Physical Capital: Traditional Explanations - Savings, Poverty and Uncertainty - An Alternative Approach - Conclusions - Appendix I - Appendix II - Appendix III - References - Index