Input Coefficient Change Using Biproportional Econometric Adjustment Functions

Abstract

This paper deals with the issue of updating input-output (I-O) coefficients within a large-scale disaggregated econometric macro-model of the Austrian economy. Capturing the changes in input coefficients over time is an important issue in I-O modelling due to a lack of recent benchmark I-O tables in most countries. Different approaches for updating these coefficients can be found in the literature, such as adjusting input coefficients 'along the row' and variable input coefficients 'along the column' stemming from factor input equations derived from production or cost functions. This paper combines these two approaches, yielding a biproportional method. For the adjustment, 'along the column' econometric factor input functions are used to derive a sum of non-energy intermediate inputs. For the adjustment 'along the row' the starting point is a set of adjustment functions described in the literature: special emphasis is placed on econometric specification and 'cointegration accounting'.