We investigate the time variation in the correlation between hours and technology shocks using a structural business cycle model. We propose an RBC model with a Constant Elasticity of Substitution (CES) production function that allows for capital- and labor-augmenting technology shocks. We...

The link between aggregate profits and investment has been widely analysed through the impact of profits on net worth and therefore the firm’s ability to borrow, in the presence of credit market imperfections. How the business cycle is affected if profits also affect investment through an...

DSGE models are typically estimated assuming the existence of certain structural shocks that drive macroeconomic fluctuations. We analyze the consequences of introducing nonfundamental shocks for the estimation of DSGE model parameters and propose a method to select the structural shocks driving...

In this paper we argue that both statistics and economic theory-based evidence largely indicate the absence of long run relationships between the real output and the most relevant monetary indicator for the UK and the US short term interest rates. These findings are not only a full sample...

In an attempt to measure the impact of cultural heritage on growth, this paper matches the definition of culture as a stock with the cultural heritage list provided by UNESCO, as it is a variable that changes at a very low pace. We test the hypothesis on whether the existence of a strong...

Evidence is presented on the Real Interest Parity Hypothesis for a set of emerging and developed countries. This is done by carrying out a set of unit-root tests on the real interest differentials with respect to Germany and the US. Our results support the hypothesis of a rapid reversion towards...

The intertemporal substitution model of labor supply has been based on closed economy models. This paper studies the intertemporal substitution hypothesis in an open economy. It derives the long run labor supply as a function of the real wage, real interest rate and real exchange rate from a...

The derivation of the Balassa-Samuelson effect allows for different empirical specifications that may have important economic implications. Problems related to spurious regression could arise from the mixed order of integration of the series used and from the lack of a long run stable...

Recent empirical literature on trade performance has emphasised the role played by domestic R&D in boosting international competitiveness. These models, based on technology-related theories of trade, find empirical support for this hypothesis. In this paper we go further and test whether trading...

We revisit the debate on the sustainability of the current account dynamics in the US. Using the concept of sustainability as the ability to meet the long run intertemporal budget constraint, we test for unit roots in the US current account for the 1960-2004 period. We argue that there are...