Marginal cost and price over the business cycle: comparative evidence from Japan and the United States

Hart, R. and Malley, J. (2000) Marginal cost and price over the business cycle: comparative evidence from Japan and the United States. European Journal of Political Economy, 16(3), pp. 547-569. (doi: 10.1016/S0176-2680(99)00057-9)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0176-2680(99)00057-9

Abstract

We estimate marginal cost over the cycle for Japan and the US, concentrating on the intensive margin of the firm's activity. Estimation is undertaken for 16 two-digit industries over a 30-year period to the early 1990s. Cost movements consist of changes in the nominal wage, movements along the marginal wage schedule, and changes in total hours per unit of output. Marginal cost implications of variations in the proportions of overtime/total hours and in marginal overtime premiums are accommodated. We also provide estimates of the cyclical behaviour of price-cost mark-ups. Marginal cost is found to be counter-cyclical in both countries due principally to the influence of pro-cyclical labour productivity. A pro-cyclical mark-up is found for both countries, although stronger in the US.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Malley, Professor Jim
Authors: Hart, R., and Malley, J.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Economics
Journal Name:European Journal of Political Economy
Publisher:Elsevier BV, North-Holland
ISSN:0176-2680
ISSN (Online):1873-5703
Published Online:07 August 2000

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