Capital-energy substitution revisited: New evidence from micro data

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nguyen, Sang V.^a | Streitwieser, Mary L.^a

Affiliations: [a] Center for Economic Studies, US Bureau of the Census, Washington DC, 20233. E-mail: sang.v.nguyen@census.gov. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Washington DC 20230. E-mail: Mary.Streitwieser@bea.gov

Abstract: We use micro data for 10,318 plants to estimate elasticities of substitution between energy and capital. We find that energy and capital are substitutes. We also find that estimates of Allen elasticities of substitution – a standard measure of substitution – are sensitive to varying data sets and levels of aggregation. In contrast, estimates of Morishima elasticities of substitution – which are theoretically superior to the Allen elasticities – are more robust. We conclude that micro data provide more accurate elasticity estimates than those obtained from aggregate data and the Morishima elasticities are the preferred measure of factor substitution.

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-2008-0300

Journal: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 33, no. 2-3, pp. 129-153, 2008