Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Jason Timmins
Author-X-Name-First: Jason
Author-X-Name-Last: Timmins
Author-Email: jason.timmins@dol.govt.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Labour 
Title: Is Infrastructure Productive? Evaluating the effects of specific infrastructure projects on firm productivity within New Zealand
Abstract: The paper investigates the feasibility of using a variant of the spatial equilibrium model to estimate the productivity effects of a specific infrastructure project in New Zealand. Policy makers are interested in the marginal effects of infrastructure investment on productivity and an evaluation of such effects would provide a useful check on the appropriateness and adequacy of current decision rules and institutions. To date, there appear to be no examples of using a spatial equilibrium model to estimate the productivity effects of a specific infrastructure project. However, the analysis in this paper suggests that such an approach is feasible. There is a range of data and estimation issues that needs to be addressed in the use of a spatial equilibrium model for this purpose, but we find that a reasonably useful range of data is available in New Zealand. The next step in determining feasibility is to select a particular infrastructure project, and to develop an empirical model based on available data.
Length: 49 pages
Creation-Date:  2005-11
File-URL: https://motu-www.motu.org.nz/wpapers/05_14.pdf
Number: 05_14
Classification-JEL: H54, R11, R23, R31
Keywords: Infrastructure, regional economics, land and labour markets
Handle: RePEc:mtu:wpaper:05_14