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La fonction de production et les données canadiennes

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  • Patrick Perrier

Abstract

This study has two aspects. First, the author examines the theoretical properties of the constant elasticity of substitution (CES) production function and the implications of this formulation for the properties of a structural macroeconomic model. He then seeks to determine whether Canadian macroeconomic data correlate better with a CES production function with an elasticity of substitution between labour and capital equal to one, which would be the case with a Cobb-Douglas function, or with a CES function whose elasticity of substitution is different from one. Cobb-Douglas-type production functions have some very attractive properties, which is probably why they are so widely used in macroeconomic models. Referring to results from previous studies, the author demonstrates that it is possible to retain these properties when using a CES production function with an elasticity of substitution different from one, provided it features constant returns to scale and that technological progress only increases the efficiency of the labour factor. In terms of empirical analysis, the estimation frameworks used in this study and applied to Canadian macroeconomic data yield an elasticity of substitution of capital for labour lying between 0.4 and 0.6, or well below one. Most of the tests reject use of the Cobb-Douglas formulation for representing Canadian data. These results suggest that capital and labour are much more complementary than is assumed by a Cobb-Douglas production function.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Perrier, 2005. "La fonction de production et les données canadiennes," Staff Working Papers 05-20, Bank of Canada.
    • Handle: RePEc:bca:bocawp:05-20
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    9. repec:zbw:bofrdp:2001_010 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. René Lalonde & Dirk Muir, 2007. "The Bank of Canada's Version of the Global Economy Model (BoC-GEM)," Technical Reports 98, Bank of Canada.
    2. Selim Elekdag & René Lalonde & Douglas Laxton & Dirk Muir & Paolo Pesenti, 2008. "Oil Price Movements and the Global Economy: A Model-Based Assessment," IMF Staff Papers, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 55(2), pages 297-311, June.
    3. René Lalonde & Dirk Muir, 2009. "BoC-GEM: Modelling the World Economy," Bank of Canada Review, Bank of Canada, vol. 2009(Summer), pages 43-53.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic models;

    JEL classification:

    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity

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