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Anatomizing the Mechanics of Structural Change

Author

Listed:
  • Jaime Alonso-Carrera

    (Universidade de Vigo)

  • María Jesús Freire-Serén

    (Universidade de Vigo)

  • Xavier Raurich

    (Universitat de Barcelona)

Abstract

We characterize several possible mechanisms of structural change by using a general multisector growth model, where preferences and technologies are not parameterized. In this generic set up, we derive the growth rates of sectoral employment shares at the equilibrium. We find that the economic fundamentals governing structural change in the sectoral employment shares are: (i) the income elasticities of the demand for consumption goods; (ii) the Allen-Uzawa elasticities of substitution between consumption goods; (iii) the capital income shares in sectoral outputs; and (iv) the elasticity of substitution between capital and labor in each sector. These fundamentals determine the effect that the growth rates of aggregate income, relative prices, rental rates and technological progress have on structural change. Finally, we estimate the aforementioned fundamentals to develop an accounting exercise that quantifies the contribution of each mechanism to the U.S. structural change.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaime Alonso-Carrera & María Jesús Freire-Serén & Xavier Raurich, 2017. "Anatomizing the Mechanics of Structural Change," UB School of Economics Working Papers 2017/360, University of Barcelona School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ewp:wpaper:360web
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    File URL: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/112109
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Structural change; structural transformation; non-homothetic preferences; sectoral productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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