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Micro-level Misallocation and Selection

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  • Mu-Jeung Yang

Abstract

How large are the aggregate productivity losses from the misallocation of resources across firms? With endogenous selection, microfrictions can induce extensive margin misallocation among firms: too many unproductive firms are active (Zombies), and too many productive firms are inactive (Shadows). Therefore, the same set of measured distortions potentially induces much larger aggregate productivity losses, as the composition of firms is shifted toward unproductive active firms. I develop and calibrate a model with plant-level microdata for Indonesia to quantify aggregate welfare in the presence of extensive margin misallocation. My estimates show that selection can magnify aggregate TFP losses from microdistortions by over 40 percent compared to existing estimates. Realistic values of measurement error even increase the relative importance of extensive margin misallocation.

Suggested Citation

  • Mu-Jeung Yang, 2021. "Micro-level Misallocation and Selection," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 13(4), pages 341-368, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejmac:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:341-68
    DOI: 10.1257/mac.20160253
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Chaoran Chen & Diego Restuccia & Raül Santaeulàlia-Llopis, 2023. "Land Misallocation and Productivity," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 15(2), pages 441-465, April.
    2. Tasso Adam & Loren Brandt & Chaoran Chen & Diego Restuccia & Xiaoyun Wei, 2024. "Land Security and Mobility Frictions," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 139(3), pages 1941-1987.
    3. Fernando Aragon & Diego Restuccia & Juan Pablo Rud, 2022. "Assessing misallocation in agriculture: plots versus farms," Working Papers tecipa-718, University of Toronto, Department of Economics.
    4. David Lagakos & Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak & Michael E. Waugh, 2023. "The Welfare Effects of Encouraging Rural–Urban Migration," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 91(3), pages 803-837, May.
    5. Stephen Ayerst & Duc Nguyen & Diego Restuccia, 2024. "The Micro and Macro Productivity of Nations," Working Papers tecipa-779, University of Toronto, Department of Economics.
    6. Norbert Ernst & Nico Pintar & Richard Sellner, 2023. "Resource Misallocation and TFP Gap Development in Austria (Richard Sellner, Nico Pintar, Norbert Ernst)," Working Papers 246, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank).
    7. Li, Xiaolu & Ma, Lin & Tang, Yang, 2024. "Migration and resource misallocation in China," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    8. Xi, Xican, 2023. "Multi-establishment firms, misallocation, and productivity," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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