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Reliability of the Translog Cost Function : Some Theory & an Application to the Demand of Energy in French Manufacturing

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  • Baccar, Sourour

Abstract

We investigate the behavior of three versions of the translog cost function : the standard Log-quadratic version and two nonlinear versions with exponential and linear technical progress biases, respectively. Their performances are assessed according to three criteria: (i)on theoretical ground,(ii) on their ability to provide plausible estimates of economic and technological characteristics, and finally, (iii) on their reliability of fit for input shares, input-output ratios and unit cost. The most important result is that the standard form exhibits some weakness in fitting. We show via a series of experiments that those imprecisions are due to a lack of flexibility of the Log-quadratic form. Therefore, our results suggest that caveats should be attached to several previous studies, and care must be taken by future researchers who use such models.

Suggested Citation

  • Baccar, Sourour, 1995. "Reliability of the Translog Cost Function : Some Theory & an Application to the Demand of Energy in French Manufacturing," MPRA Paper 53987, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:53987
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    translog cost function; reliability of fit; flexibility; energy demand; technical change modelling.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • C52 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Evaluation, Validation, and Selection
    • C54 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Quantitative Policy Modeling
    • L2 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights

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