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The Marginal Product of Capital: A Persistent International Puzzle

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  • Robert S. Chirinko
  • Debdulal Mallick

Abstract

Large and sustained differences in marginal products of capital (MPKs) across countries are sharply at odds with the core implications of the neoclassical framework. Lucas (1990) and many subsequent studies have examined reasons for this MPK differential. In a recent contribution, Caselli and Feyrer (2007) take the ground out from under this debate by reconsidering measurement issues and concluding that the MPK differential vanishes. Despite Caselli and Feyrer’s important advances in measurement, the international MPK puzzle persists. We show that the measurement of MPKs in their framework is substantially affected by adjustment costs in the accumulation of capital. With the proper technology and a plausible parameterization of adjustment costs, the MPK in poor countries is much higher than the MPK in rich countries. Why capital flows do not eliminate the MPK differential remains a persistent international puzzle. We examine the quantitative importance of financial frictions, relative prices, and adjustment costs in accounting for the MPK differential and document that adjustment costs provide the leading explanation.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert S. Chirinko & Debdulal Mallick, 2008. "The Marginal Product of Capital: A Persistent International Puzzle," CESifo Working Paper Series 2399, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_2399
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    Cited by:

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    2. Su, Jian & Jefferson, Gary H., 2012. "Differences in returns to FDI between China's coast and interior: One country, two economies?," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 259-269.
    3. Matt Lowe & Chris Papageorgiou & Fidel Perez‐Sebastian, 2019. "The Public and Private Marginal Product of Capital," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 86(342), pages 336-361, April.
    4. Dennis Reinhardt, 2010. "Into the Allocation Puzzle - A Sectoral Analysis," Working Papers 10.02, Swiss National Bank, Study Center Gerzensee.
    5. Anusha Chari & Jennifer S. Rhee, 2020. "The Return to Capital in Capital-Scarce Countries," NBER Working Papers 27675, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Matthew Lowe & Chris Papageorgiou & Fidel Perez-Sebastian, 2012. "The Public and Private MPK," DEGIT Conference Papers c017_021, DEGIT, Dynamics, Economic Growth, and International Trade.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    marginal product of capital; adjustment costs; macroeconomic analysis of economic development; international capital flows;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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