Resource Center

Advanced Search
Technical Papers
Working Papers
Research Memoranda
GTAP-L Mailing List
GTAP FAQs
CGE Books/Articles
Important References
Submit New Resource

GTAP Resources: Resource Display

GTAP Resource #4731

"Theoretically-Consistent Parameterization of a Multi-sector Global Model with Heterogeneous Firms"
by Akgul, Zeynep, Nelson B. Villoria and Thomas Hertel


Abstract
Parameter selection in Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models of international trade is important for trade policy analysis as parameter values affect trade and welfare responses to changes in trade barriers. This is particularly important if the CGE model incorporates firm heterogeneity because it introduces a new margin of adjustment and changes the interpretation of parameter estimates. A remaining obstacle to fully understanding the insights of trade in CGE models with firm heterogeneity is the lack of an appropriate set of parameter estimates consistent with the underlying theory. Our objective in this paper is to solve for structural parameters that are theoretically consistent with firm heterogeneity models. Specifically, we focus on the elasticity of substitution across varieties. We distinguish between the extensive and intensive margins of trade flows and estimate two gravity equations by using country-level data for the motor vehicles and parts industry. Our results show that the elasticity values that are consistent with the firm heterogeneity theory are considerably lower than Armington (1969) elasticities used in the GTAP model. This implies that current implementations of Melitz-type models which use elasticities of substitution estimated in the absence of firm heterogeneity will give overly large trade volume responses to policy reforms.


Resource Details (Export Citation) GTAP Keywords
Category: 2015 Conference Paper
Status: Published
By/In: Presented at the 18th Annual Conference on Global Economic Analysis, Melbourne, Australia
Date: 2015
Version:
Created: Akgul, Z. (4/15/2015)
Updated: Akgul, Z. (4/15/2015)
Visits: 2,607
- Calibration and parameter estimation


Attachments
If you have trouble accessing any of the attachments below due to disability, please contact the authors listed above.


Public Access
  File format Parameterization ZA  (587.1 KB)   Replicated: 0 time(s)


Restricted Access
No documents have been attached.


Special Instructions
No instructions have been specified.


Comments (0 posted)
You must log in before entering comments.

No comments have been posted.