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Biases in approximating log production

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  • Sun, Kai
  • Henderson, Daniel J.
  • Kumbhakar, Subal C.

Abstract

Most empirical work in economic growth assumes either a Cobb-Douglas production function expressed in logs or a log-approximated constant elasticity of substitution specification. Estimates from each are likely biased due to logging the model and the latter can also suffer from approximation bias. We illustrate this with a successful replication of Masanjala and Papagerogiou (2004) and then estimate both models in levels to avoid these biases. Our estimation in levels gives results in line with conventional wisdom.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Kai & Henderson, Daniel J. & Kumbhakar, Subal C., 2010. "Biases in approximating log production," MPRA Paper 27527, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:27527
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Oleg Badunenko & Daniel J. Henderson, 2024. "Production analysis with asymmetric noise," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 61(1), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Dewitte, Ruben & Dumont, Michel & Merlevede, Bruno & Rayp, Glenn & Verschelde, Marijn, 2020. "Firm-Heterogeneous Biased Technological Change: A nonparametric approach under endogeneity," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 283(3), pages 1172-1182.
    3. Manuel A. Domínguez & Ignacio N. Lobato, 2020. "Specification testing with estimated variables," Econometric Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(5), pages 476-494, May.
    4. María Pía Olivero & Yoto V. Yotov, 2012. "Dynamic gravity: endogenous country size and asset accumulation," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 45(1), pages 64-92, February.
    5. J. M. C. Santos Silva & Silvana Tenreyro, 2022. "The Log of Gravity at 15," Portuguese Economic Journal, Springer;Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestao, vol. 21(3), pages 423-437, September.
    6. Koen Jochmans & Vincenzo Verardi, 2022. "Instrumental‐variable estimation of exponential‐regression models with two‐way fixed effects with an application to gravity equations," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 37(6), pages 1121-1137, September.
    7. Prehn, Sören & Brümmer, Bernhard, 2011. "Estimation issues in disaggregate gravity trade models," DARE Discussion Papers 1107, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development (DARE).
    8. Sam Jones, 2020. "Testing the Technology of Human Capital Production: A General‐to‐Restricted Framework," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 82(6), pages 1429-1455, December.
    9. Henningsen, Arne & Henningsen, Géraldine, 2012. "On estimation of the CES production function—Revisited," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 115(1), pages 67-69.
    10. T.V.S.Ramamohan Rao, 2011. "Contemporary Relevance and Ongoing Controversies Related to the CES Production Function," Journal of Quantitative Economics, The Indian Econometric Society, vol. 9(2), pages 36-57, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Nonparametric; Kmenta Approximation; Levels; Logs; PPML;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity
    • C01 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - Econometrics

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