Business cycle and factor income shares: a VAR sign restriction approach

Tonni, Lorenzo (2022): Business cycle and factor income shares: a VAR sign restriction approach.

Abstract

This paper has a twofold objective. Firstly, to provide a comprehensive literature review of the theories that explain the cyclical interaction between factor shares and economic activity. Secondly, to assess if there is empirical evidence supporting these theories while overcoming the strong criticalities present in the current empirical literature. To this end, a Bayesian VAR identified with sign restrictions is set up. The results suggest that countercyclical fluctuations in the labor share are mainly driven by the pro-cyclicality of labor productivity - consistent with overhead costs and risk distribution theories - and by the Phillips Curve effects upheld by Goodwin. The model does not support the expansive effect of a capital share rise suggested by Goodwin. In contrast, there is partial evidence favoring the biased technical change theory.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: factor shares, business cycle, labor share, VAR, sign restrictions
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C3 - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models ; Multiple Variables > C32 - Time-Series Models ; Dynamic Quantile Regressions ; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models ; Diffusion Processes ; State Space Models; E - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics > E2 - Consumption, Saving, Production, Investment, Labor Markets, and Informal Economy > E25 - Aggregate Factor Income Distribution; E - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics > E3 - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles > E32 - Business Fluctuations ; Cycles

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