THE EFFECT OF REGULATION ON WAGES AND INTERMEDIATE PRODUCT PRICES UNDER BILATERAL MONOPOLY1

This paper seeks to determine whether, under bilateral monopoly, profit rate regulation induces an input price bias in addition to the well known Averch-Johnson capital intensity bias. Using a Nash-type employer-union, fixed bargaining power model, it is found that regulation may induce lower as well as higher wage rates. Similarly, when the two parties are respectively capital equipment supplier and user, regulation of the user's profit rate has an ambiguous effect on the equipment rental rate. In both cases the input price effect is shown to depend on the elasticity of factor substitution and on how demand elasticity varies with output.     

THE PRICE-QUALITY RELATIONSHIP UNDER MONOPOLY AND COMPETITION

The standard economic approaches (screening and signalling) to product quality imply an upward sloping relationship between price and product quality. In the case of screening models it is a relationship which applies to the product line of each individual firm. In the case of signalling models it applies across firms. Both types of model have their shortcomings. An alternative approach is presented which involves endogenising the quality control process. Firms voluntarily provide a warranty contract for their products and this, in turn generates an incentive to control quality. The model compares monopolistic and competitive markets in respect of warranties. quality control and the price-quality relationship. Under monopoly, the price-quality relationship is always upward-sloping or flat. Under competition, however, cost shifts or certain demand side shifts can generate a downward-sloping relationship between price and quality.     

MONOPOLY POWER AND DOWNWARD PRICE RIGIDITY UNDER COSTLY PRICE ADJUSTMENT

A method of 'backward deduction' is used to analyse the decisions of a firm, setting price and quantity before demand observations are made, with the option to adjust price at a cost after demand is observed. It is shown for such a firm that the events of (1) downward price rigidity; (2) overproduction; and (3) a high degree of monopoly power are closely related. The paper distinguishes itself from the previous literature on costly price adjustment in its treatment of disequilibrium situations and focus on monopoly power in relation to price rigidity. The main results are obtained for a linear demand curve and a uniform demand distribution.     

VALUATION OF HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTION AT MARKET PRICES AND ESTIMATION OF PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS

This paper estimates household production functions directly, considers their characteristics, and compares them with previous indirectly estimated functions. Interviews with 135 Missoula, Montana area married couple households provided the data. The results suggest that endogeneity and a previous lack of output and capital data which led to the use of the indirect methodology are not insurmountable problems. The results tend to confirm the feasibility of directly measuring household outputs since the production function results are reasonable. Directly estimated household production functions offer the possibilities for estimation of short-term household output changes and testing hypotheses about households' economic behavior.     

基于高斯冲击和习惯形成的资产定价模型

在卢卡斯提出的资产定价模型中,消费增长率是独立同分布的和投资者效用函数是可分的。卢卡斯模型无法解释著名的股票溢价之谜和无风险利率之谜,对卢卡斯模型做的两个修改是:消费增长率服从一阶高斯自回归随机过程和投资者偏好是具有习惯形成的效用函数,修改后的模型,一是存在资产定价的显示解;二是可以解释股票溢价之谜和无风险利率之谜。     

时变弹性生产函数与全要素生产率

由于缺乏资本价格等国民核算资料,收入份额法在我国的使用受到一定限制。传统Cobb-Douglas生产函数估计的资本和劳动力产出弹性,反映的只是整个研究时期的一个平均水平,适用于估计整个研究时期的平均贡献率,但用于估计逐期贡献率很可能是有偏的甚至是有误的。本文给出了一个改进生产率增长测算的新思路,系统地提出利用非参数模型、变系数模型、可变参数模型和面板数据模型替代收入份额法,估计不同时期资本和劳动力的时变产出弹性。实证结果表明时变弹性生产函数具有更好的统计性质。     

INTERNATIONAL AVERAGE PRICES AND COMPARISONS OF NATIONAL AGGREGATE PRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURE

"The whole question of making inter-spatial comparisons between countries is a most complicated and hazardous business" (Mr. Campion); international comparisons of a particular value aggregate between countries present a difficult problem connected with the conversion of national value aggregates into a comparable magnitude. This paper presents an alternative approach in that an internationally comparable value aggregate for each country is prepared by the international average prices of commodities which are determined simultaneously with the partial exchange rates of national currencies to a standard currency. The calculated partial exchange rates are so defined as to reflect the purchasing power of national currencies in respect of the group of commodities selected. Consequently, the resulting value aggregate for international comparison has a quantity dimension, eliminating the effect due to the different purchasing power of national currencies in which original prices are quoted. The other methods of international comparison so far being used by other research workers, such as C. Clerk and M. Gilbert and his associates, are examined in the light of the properties of the present method and the crucial differences are delineated. Using the method proposed, an international comparison is made of the aggregate value of agricultural products for 11 selected countries in the world, with sub-divisions into two regions.     

ASIAN REAL EXCHANGE RATES AND OIL PRICES: A COINTEGRATION ANALYSIS UNDER STRUCTURAL BREAKS

We examine the long‐run relationship between Asian real exchange rates and oil prices in the presence of structural breaks. The relevance of considering breaks is demonstrated by utilizing the Johansen et al. procedure that allows for up to two predetermined breaks. Using conventional tests that do not consider breaks reveals no evidence of cointegration. However, the Johansen et al. procedure clearly demonstrates the importance of considering breaks and provides strong support for a stable long‐run relationship in all but Japan and the Philippines. Moreover, the results suggest evidence of bi‐directional causality in Malaysia and Thailand, uni‐directional causality from exchange rates to oil prices in Korea, the Philippines, and Singapore, uni‐directional causality from oil prices to the exchange rate in Indonesia, and no evidence of causality in Japan.     

SOME WELFARE IMPLICATIONS OF OPTIMAL STABILISATION POLICY IN AN ECONOMY WITH CAPITAL AND STICKY PRICES

In this paper we review and extend some of the key lessons that seem to be emerging from the Ramsey‐inspired theory of dynamic optimal monetary and fiscal policies. We construct measures of the key distortions in our economy; we label these ‘dynamic wedges’. Inflation, actual or anticipated, distorts these wedges in the present period, shrinks the tax base and increases the deadweight loss. We show that, if possible, labour as well as capital ought to be subsidised in steady state. We point to a number of extensions to the Ramsey literature that may help in the formulation of actual policy.     

REAL BALANCES, RELATIVE PRICES AND AN OPEN MODEL TEMPORARY EQUILIBRIUM WITH RATIONING THE MARSHALL-LERNER CONDITIONS IN

The model is of an open economy producing a single output, the demand for which depends on its price, the price of foreign output, real incomes and government spending. We thereby extend the rationed equilibrium model of Malinvaud to the simplest open economy. Residents hold foreign assets as well as domestic assets, hence exchange rate movements have real balance effects as well as relative price effects. The Marshall Lerner conditions are sufficient, but not necessary, for either an exchange rate depreciation or a fall in the domestic price level, to increase demand for domestic output. They are necessary, but not sufficient, for a depreciation or fall in the domestic price level, to improve the trade balance under Keynesian Unemployment.     

DIRECTED SEARCH,COORDINATION FAILURE,AND SELLER PROFITS: AN EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON OF POSTED PRICING WITH SINGLE AND MULTIPLE PRICES

We experimentally examine posted pricing and directed search. In one treatment, capacity‐constrained sellers post fixed prices, which buyers observe before choosing whom to visit. In the other, firms post both “single‐buyer” (applied when one buyer visits) and “multibuyer” (when multiple buyers visit) prices. We find, based on a 2 × 2 (two buyers and two sellers) market and a follow‐up experiment with 3 and 2 × 3 markets, that multibuyer prices can be lower than single‐buyer prices or prices in the one‐price treatment. Also, allowing the multibuyer price does not affect seller profits and increases market frictions.     

碳排放约束下中国省际农业生产效率 及其影响因素研究

本文从系统论的角度出发,将农业碳排放量纳入农业生产效率研究框架内。首先,综合运用3个DEA模型,测算了2004-2010年中国30个省份农业生产效率,探索中国各省份、三大地区间的效率差异,并给出农业资源利用效率的4种模式,然后,利用Tobit模型检验农业生产效率的影响因素。结果表明：考察期内中国农业生产效率有所提升,但仍处于较低水平,纯技术效率低下是制约农业生产效率提升的主要因素;各省份、三大地区间效率差异明显,东部地区最高,而中西部地区均低于全国平均水平;全国有60%的省份农业资源利用模式为低经济低环境效率型,这些省份主要来自于中西部地区;农田抗灾能力、农村用电量和研发经费的提高对全国农业生产效率的提升具有积极影响,而基础教育水平、产业结构以及农村金融支持的影响并不显著。     

控风险与稳增长挤压下的中国货币政策*

当前“名稳实紧”的货币政策已经不能适应我国宏观经济现状,货币政策总体思路亟待调整。过高的债务率所导致的债务-紧缩效应以及目前市场上所采取的“杠杆率硬着陆”的方式不仅加剧了金融市场的潜在系统性风险,而且还导致货币政策陷入传导困境。金融市场上财务软约束、刚性兑付现象大量存在,抬高了无风险利率,而且导致市场丧失风险定价功能。基于上述分析,我们认为当前货币政策取向应该从“名稳实紧”调整为“适度宽松”。在“杠杆率软着陆”的思路下,通过创新货币政策目标,配合市场化改革,尝试探索新型货币政策工具并结合市场监管体系的完善,早日实现经济复苏。     

FLOATING WITH A LARGE LIFE JACKET: MONETARY AND EXCHANGE RATE POLICIES IN CROATIA UNDER DOLLARIZATION

Even after more than a decade of low inflation, Croatia remains highly dollarized. Commercial banks avoid currency mismatch by indexing loans to the exchange rate. Although this eliminates direct currency risk, it creates credit risk, because any larger depreciation might induce borrower defaults. Monetary and exchange rate policies focus on exchange rate smoothing to safeguard financial stability. Dollarization has prevented the use of monetary policy to stabilize output. Given Croatia's likely entry into the EU and adoption of the Euro, dedollarization seems unfeasible. Rather than attempting to reverse dollarization, the central bank has taken measures to make the banking system more robust to shocks. (JEL E52, E58, F31, G21, P24 )