I study the degree of returns to scale in aggregate U.S. data by estimating the standard RBC model with and without variable capacity utilization using Bayesian methods. The source of increasing returns is the presence of an externality in production. I find that, at best, returns are mildly...

We specify a simple search and matching model of the aggregate labor market allowing for productivity-driven changes in match efficiency. This mechanism leads to shifts in the Beveridge curve that are broadly consistent with the pattern observed in the United States. We simulate data from the...

Time-varying parameter vector autoregressions (TVP-VARs) have become a popular tool to study the dynamics of macroeconomic time series. In this article, we discuss the specification and estimation of this class of models with a focus on implementability. We provide a step-by-step guide for...