Avoiding Mis-estimation of the CES Function: Unit Matters

Haoqi Qian and Libo Wu ()

Applied Economics, 2020, vol. 52, issue 19, 2056-2062

Abstract: We demonstrate that unit errors of measurement will lead to significant biases in estimating the constant elasticity of substitution (CES) function. Monte-Carlo simulations show that estimation results tend to reach Cobb–Douglas (CD) functions or extreme values if units of input variables are incorrectly used. To avoid this problem, we suggest adding an overall efficiency parameter and a unit correction parameter which is similar to biased technological change parameter when estimating CES functions. Any unit error of measurement can be captured by these two parameters while allowing researchers to get unbiased estimation results of other parameters.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2019.1682116

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