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Unlocking efficiency: optimal monetary policy when capital misallocation matters

Author

Listed:
  • González, Beatriz
  • Nuño, Galo
  • Thaler, Dominik
  • Albrizio, Silvia

Abstract

Some firms have the capacity to contribute significantly to economic productivity but cannot obtain the necessary capital for investment, which instead flows to less productive firms. While “misallocation of capital” and its detrimental impact on productivity is traditionally beyond the scope of central banks, monetary policy can influence it through firms’ investment decisions. Using a New Keynesian model and granular data on Spanish firms, our results show that expansionary monetary policy reduces capital misallocation. However, in committing to an optimal policy course, central banks are better off sticking to price stability rather than exploiting this channel to influence productivity. JEL Classification: E12, E22, E43, E52, L11

Suggested Citation

  • González, Beatriz & Nuño, Galo & Thaler, Dominik & Albrizio, Silvia, 2024. "Unlocking efficiency: optimal monetary policy when capital misallocation matters," Research Bulletin, European Central Bank, vol. 118.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecb:ecbrbu:2024:0118:
    Note: 2253012
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Diego Restuccia & Richard Rogerson, 2017. "The Causes and Costs of Misallocation," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 31(3), pages 151-174, Summer.
    2. Benjamin Moll, 2014. "Productivity Losses from Financial Frictions: Can Self-Financing Undo Capital Misallocation?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(10), pages 3186-3221, October.
    3. Eduardo Dávila & Andreas Schaab, 2023. "Optimal Monetary Policy with Heterogeneous Agents: Discretion, Commitment, and Timeless Policy," NBER Working Papers 30961, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Marek Jarociński & Peter Karadi, 2020. "Deconstructing Monetary Policy Surprises—The Role of Information Shocks," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 12(2), pages 1-43, April.
    5. Gauti B. Eggertsson & Michael Woodford, 2004. "Policy Options in a Liquidity Trap," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(2), pages 76-79, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    capital misallocation; financial frictions; firm heterogeneity; Monetary policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E12 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Keynes; Keynesian; Post-Keynesian; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms

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