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Seasonality and Capacity: An Application to Italy

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  • Mr. Federico Mini
  • Mr. Guido De Blasio

Abstract

Information on seasonal frequencies can provide valuable insights for understanding economic fluctuations. This is particularly true for Italy, where the variability of production in manufacturing is extremely high and almost entirely due to seasonal factors. This paper discusses the option of exogenous seasonality resulting from changes in underlying technology and preferences, versus the possibility of endogenous seasonality arising because of synergies across agents. It then highlights the size of the seasonally-driven capacity slack and discusses its relevance from a welfare standpoint.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Federico Mini & Mr. Guido De Blasio, 2000. "Seasonality and Capacity: An Application to Italy," IMF Working Papers 2000/080, International Monetary Fund.
  • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2000/080
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Luca Dedola & Eugenio Gaiotti & Luca Silipo, 2001. "Money demand in the euro area: do national differences matter?," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 405, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    WP; growth rate; Italy; time series; business cycle; seasonality; aggregate production; unutilized capacity; efficiency loss; industry machinery sector; manufacturing branch; Manufacturing; Business cycles; Industrial production; Non-renewable resources; Transportation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • C49 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Other

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