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Are all economic fluctuations bad for consumers?

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  • Kim, Jongsoo
  • Kim, Kwang Hwan
  • Shim, Myungkyu

Abstract

Are business cycles always costly? This paper sheds new light on this question in the context of a two-sector neoclassical business cycle model by focusing on the roles of the origin of shocks and the degree of real frictions that restrict factor reallocation both inter-temporally (investment adjustment cost) and intra-temporally (inter-sectoral factor immobilities). We find that under the benchmark parameterization, investment-specific technology shocks are welfare-improving while consumption-specific technology shocks are welfare-detrimental, regardless of the degree of real frictions. While aggregate TFP shocks can be both depending on the degree of real frictions, welfare-improving business cycles are not supported by empirical evidence.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim, Jongsoo & Kim, Kwang Hwan & Shim, Myungkyu, 2023. "Are all economic fluctuations bad for consumers?," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:156:y:2023:i:c:s0165188923001562
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2023.104750
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Welfare cost of business cycles; Two-sector neoclassical model; Nature of shocks; Factor mobility; Investment adjustment cost;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E39 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Other

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