Seasonality and Capacity: An Application to Italy

Author/Editor:

Federico Mini ; Guido De Blasio

Publication Date:

April 1, 2000

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

Information on seasonal frequencies can provide valuable insights for understanding economic fluctuations. This is particularly true for Italy, where the variability of production in manufacturing is extremely high and almost entirely due to seasonal factors. This paper discusses the option of exogenous seasonality resulting from changes in underlying technology and preferences, versus the possibility of endogenous seasonality arising because of synergies across agents. It then highlights the size of the seasonally-driven capacity slack and discusses its relevance from a welfare standpoint.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2000/080

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

April 1, 2000

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451850291/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0802000

Pages:

27

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