Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/170882 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 10898
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
The elasticity of substitution between capital and labor (σ) is usually considered a "deep parameter". This paper shows, in contrast, that σ is affected by both globalization and technology, and that different intensities in these drivers have different consequences for the OECD and the non-OECD economies. In the OECD, we find that the elasticity of substitution between capital and labor is below unity; that it increases along with the degree of globalization; but it decreases with the level of technology. Although results for the non-OECD area are more heterogeneous, we find that technology enhances the substitutability between capital and labor. We also find evidence of a non-significant impact of the capital-output ratio on the labor share irrespective of the degree of globalization (which would be consistent with an average aggregate Cobb-Douglas technology). Given the relevance of σ for economic growth and the functional distribution of income, the intertwined linkage among globalization, technology and the elasticity of substitution should be taken into account in any policy makers' objective function.
Subjects: 
labor share
capital-output ratio
elasticity of substitution
globalization
technology
JEL: 
E25
F62
E22
O33
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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