Deep recessions, slowing productivity and missing (dis-)inflation in the euro area

Abstract

This paper analyses the role of endogenous total factor productivity dynamics in explaining business cycle persistence as well as the missing (dis-)inflation and productivity puzzles in the euro area. We show by means of an estimated medium-scale DSGE model in which TFP evolves endogenously as the result of costly investment in R&D and technology adoption that the endogenous slowdown in total factor productivity can explain the depth and persistence of the output drop and the weak recovery following the double-dip recession in the euro area. Our results suggest that a decrease in R&D efficiency and innovation is key in explaining the pre-crisis euro area productivity slowdown, while as of 2008 a crises-induced drop in technology adoption constitutes the most important factor. We document a flattening of the Phillips curve relationship under the endogenous TFP mechanism, resulting from the interaction between inflation and productivity dynamics. The endogenous reaction in TFP dampens the inflation response over the business cycle and can thus help explain both the moderate fall in euro area inflation during its crises and its sluggish increase in the subsequent recovery.