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The elasticity of substitution and labor-saving innovations in the Spanish regions

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  • Antonio Cutanda

Abstract

This paper performs a nonlinear estimation of a normalized CES production function within a system of equations with a panel of Spanish regions for the period 1964-2013. It obtains an elasticity of substitution below one and identifies different rates of factor-augmenting technical progress. The results support for labor-saving innovations hypothesis for the Spanish case. Nevertheless, they do not support a relationship between the elasticity of substitution and the initial regional capital per worker. The results do not change if labor is adjusted by human capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Cutanda, 2022. "The elasticity of substitution and labor-saving innovations in the Spanish regions," Estudios de Economia, University of Chile, Department of Economics, vol. 49(2 Year 20), pages 123-144, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:udc:esteco:v:49:y:2022:i:2:p:123-144
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    File URL: https://estudiosdeeconomia.uchile.cl/index.php/EDE/article/view/69080/71786
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Production function; CES; normalization; regional data.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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