Labor market indicators such as unemployment and labor force participation show a significant amount of heterogeneity across demographic groups, which is often not incorporated in monetary policy analysis. This dissertation is composed of three essays that explore the effect of labor market heterogeneity on the design and conduct of monetary policy. The first chapter, <b>Effect of Monetary Policy Shocks on Labor Market Outcomes</b>, studies this question empirically by looking at dynamics of macroeconomic outcomes to a monetary policy shock. I construct a measure of monetary policy shock using narrative methods that represent the unanticipatory changes in policy. Impulse response of unemployment rates for high and low-skill workers show low-skill workers bear a greater burden of contractionary monetary policy shock. Their unemployment rates increase by almost four times that of the high-skill group. Even though we see differences in dynamic response of unemployment rates, the empirical analysis shows some puzzling results where effects of contractionary shock are expansionary in nature. Moreover, these results are plagued by the “recursiveness assumption” that the shock does not affect current output and prices, which is at odds with theoretical models in the New Keynesian literature. In the second chapter, <b>Skill Heterogeneity in an Estimated DSGE Model</b>, I use a structural model to better identify these shocks and study dynamic responses of outcomes to economic shocks. I build a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model, which captures skill heterogeneity in the U.S. labor market. I use Bayesian estimation techniques with data on unemployment and wages to obtain distribution of key parameters of the model. Low-skilled workers have a higher elasticity of labor supply and labor demand, contributing to the flatness of the wage Phillips curve estimated using aggregate data. A contractionary monetary policy shock has immediate effects on output and prices, lowering both output and inflation. Moreover, it increases unemployment rates for both high and low-skill groups, the magnitude being larger for the latter group. The presence of labor market heterogeneity will have new implications for the design of monetary policy, that I study in the third chapter, <b>Optimal Monetary Policy with Skill Heterogeneity</b>. I design an optimal policy for the central bank where policymakers respond to the different inflation-unemployment trade-off between high and low-skill workers. The monetary authority must strike a balance between stabilization of inflation, GDP and outcomes of high and low-skill workers separately. This optimal policy can be implemented by a simple interest rate rule with unemployment rates for high and low-skill workers and this policy is welfare improving.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in Ful llment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics 15 July, 2015 / The thesis focuses on the sources of macroeconomic uctuations in ten (10) selected African economies over the period 1990-2011. Data for the study were obtained from the International Financial statistics (IFS), the World Bank, and Central Bank database of the selected countries. We formulate a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model for the thesis. We estimate the model using quarterly time series data. Due to data availability, the sample size di¤ers from one country to the other. First, we investigate the relative contributions of internal and external shocks to economic uc- tuations in African economies. Second, we evaluate the signi cance of the balance sheet channel in African economies. Third, we investigate the ef- fectiveness of sovereign wealth funds in reducing macroeconomic volatility caused by commodity price shocks. The thesis has 5 chapters. Chapter 1 is the general introduction. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 are stand-alone related papers on macroeconomic uctuations. Chapter 5 is the conclusion. Chapter 1 introduces the study. We discuss the research problem, the moti- vation, the objectives, and the research questions. We also explain both our theoretical and empirical contributions to the literature. Moreover, we high- light the signi cance and the key ndings of the study. Finally, we conclude the chapter with a brief outline on the organisation of the study. Chapter 2 investigates the relative contributions of internal and external shocks to macroeconomic uctuations in African economies. We formulate and estimate a monetary DSGE model to examine the sources of economic uctuations in ten African countries. The model is estimated with the Bayesian technique using twelve macroeconomic variables. Generally, the ndings indicate that both the internal and external shocks signi cantly in- uence output uctuations in African countries. Over a four quarter horizon, internal shocks are dominant while over eight to sixteen quarter horizons, the external shocks are dominant. Among the external shocks, external debt, ex- change rate, foreign interest rate and commodity price shocks account for a large part of output variations in African economies. Money supply and productivity shocks are the most important internal shocks contributing to output uctuations in African countries. To ensure macroeconomic stability, African countries need to formulate appropriate exchange rate and exter- nal debt management policies, diversify the economies, and create sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) or use hedging instruments. Chapter 3 evaluates the quantitative signi cance of the balance sheet chan- nel in African economies. We construct an open economy monetary DSGE model where entrepreneurs nance investment by issuing foreign currency- denominated debt. The model is estimated with Bayesian technique. The evidence suggests that the balance sheet e¤ects are empirically important in African economies. The marginal likelihood results clearly favour the model with nancial frictions. Moreover, the ndings indicate that the balance sheet e¤ect reduces the e¤ectiveness of monetary policy, raises the sensitiv- ity of the risk premium to external debt, and contracts output. This indi- cates that exchange rate depreciation is contractionary in African economies. We conclude that African countries should reduce their exposure to foreign currency-denominated debt and also deepen their domestic bond markets. Chapter 4 investigates the e¤ectiveness of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) in reducing macroeconomic volatility in commodity exporting African countries. We formulate and simulate a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model that features SWFs. The simulation results suggest that the creation of SWFs can reduce macroeconomic volatility in commodity exporting coun- tries. Particularly, SWFs can reduce government expenditure, real exchange rate, and external debt volatility. Since these are the channels through which commodity price shocks are transmitted to the African economies, we rec- ommend that African countries should create SWFs to sterilize the in ow of commodity revenue and to prevent the resource curse problem. Chapter 5 concludes the study. We summarize the key ndings in Chapters 2, 3, and 4. We highlight the policy implications of our ndings. Finally, we suggest areas for further research.

This thesis analyses financial stability in eight members of the Executives’ Meeting of East Asia-Pacific Central Banks (EMEAP) economies. One of the factors that may increase financial imbalances (and hence it affects financial stability of an economy) is the accumulated outstanding debt of the economic agents. For example, the corporate sector’s outstanding debt can negatively affect activity of lenders and hence the capabilities of the economy. Since banks are important financial intermediaries in most financial systems, the financial status of banking sector is also important to analyse financial stability of a country. Macroeconomic conditions and financial system structure are some of the important factors that can affect financial conditions (financial soundness) of banks and hence the banking sector. Financial soundness of banks can secure the stability of the financial system. Chapter 2 shows that financial imbalances that arise from accumulated outstanding debt within the corporate sector have a negative effect on the technical capabilities (total factor productivity) of the economy. Therefore, monetary authority (central bank) should control over the debt level. To address this, chapter 2 focuses on the design of monetary policy rule for a small open economy in the context of a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model. This model is extended to show the effects of financial imbalances on the economy. Real exchange rate is another important factor that affects the firm’s real marginal cost, aggregate supply and aggregate demand as discussed in this chapter. The derived optimal monetary policy rule indicates that the monetary authority responds to financial imbalances through output gap when financial imbalances exist due to accumulated outstanding debt. Moreover, the optimal policy rule shows that the response of the monetary authority to exchange rate movements is indirect, through the domestic inflation and output gap. Chapter 3 describes the effect of the financial system structure on financial stability through investigating the financial soundness of the banking sector. Bank financial soundness is the measure of the stability of the financial system and is defined by return on assets, equity capital-asset ratio and return volatility. The first two items increase financial soundness, whereas return volatility decreases financial soundness of a bank. The structure of the financial system is described as market-based or bank-based. Given interrelations between financial sectors and between economies of the EMEAP countries, chapter 3 uses the global (infinite dimensional) vector autoregressive (VAR) model that has been proposed recently to estimate the generalised impulse responses of financial stability measure. Results show that the market-based financial system can increase financial stability through increasing financial soundness of the banking system. Chapter 4 uses nonperforming loans (NPLs) (as one of the main factors behind Asian financial crisis in 1997/8) to analyse financial soundness of banks. NPLs determine loans default rates that decreases banks’ financial soundness. Chapter 4 tests the resistance of the banking system of the EMEAP countries to large macroeconomic shocks (stresses) in a stress-test framework, computing frequency distributions of default rates in three main macroeconomic scenarios (baseline model, stressed real GDP growth and stressed real interest rate). Default rate indicates the possible loss of banks and hence it is an indicator of credit risk which weakens banks’ financial strength. The stress-test indicates that stressing real GDP growth with negative extreme shocks leads to an increase in frequency of higher default rates (in comparison with the baseline model), whereas positive shock to real interest rate may secure financial stability through increasing the frequency of lower default rates and decreasing frequency of higher default rate.

O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a interação entre as autoridades fiscal e monetária no Brasil, de forma a mensurar o nível de dominância fiscal existente na economia brasileira. Para alcançar este objetivo, utiliza-se um modelo de equilíbrio geral dinâmico e estocástico desenvolvido para uma economia com rigidez de preços e com tendência inflacionária, cujos parâmetros de interesses são estimados por inferência bayesiana. Conclui-se que o nível de dominância fiscal na economia brasileira é baixa, em patamar comparado ao da economia norte-americana e canadense. Este resultado tem impacto direto na condução de políticas que visam a redução da inflação, sugerindo que esta atividade deva passar pelo encolhimento das metas inflacionárias, que impactaria diretamente na expectativa dos agentes sobre a inflação futura. / The purpose of this dissertartion is to analyse the interaction between fiscal and monetary authorities in Brazil, in a way that we can be able to measure the level of fiscal dominance occurring in brazilian economy. To attain this purpose, we make use of a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with sticky prices and non-zero trend inflation, whose parameters are estimated by bayesian inference. We conclude that the level of the fiscal dominance in Brazil is low, in scale compared to american e canadian economies. This result has consequence in policy conduction that aims to decrease inflation, suggesting that may be necessary straiten the inflation target to reduce the inflation and affect the agent’s expectation about the future inflation.

The present thesis deals with multiple econometric equations systems which might provide a useful insight into the national economy modelling. It takes into account possible pitfalls of common practices. It introduces the theory and estimation methods of multiple econometric equations systems. It also discusses the equality of savings and investment and the theory of money. Furthermore, it briefly analyses Klein's model I from a theoretical point of view and uses the three-step least squares method in order to estimate it. Partial modifications of this model are suggested and implemented. The quality of the competitive models is evaluated employing the predictive criterion. Consequently, the canonical NK DSGE model is derived and subjected to theoretical criticism. The thesis debates doubts on the relevance of the NK IS curve and argues that Lucas's critique is still valid. A generalized method of moments is used to implement the NK DSGE model. Finally, this model is briefly compared with Klein's model I.

O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a interação entre as autoridades fiscal e monetária no Brasil, de forma a mensurar o nível de dominância fiscal existente na economia brasileira. Para alcançar este objetivo, utiliza-se um modelo de equilíbrio geral dinâmico e estocástico desenvolvido para uma economia com rigidez de preços e com tendência inflacionária, cujos parâmetros de interesses são estimados por inferência bayesiana. Conclui-se que o nível de dominância fiscal na economia brasileira é baixa, em patamar comparado ao da economia norte-americana e canadense. Este resultado tem impacto direto na condução de políticas que visam a redução da inflação, sugerindo que esta atividade deva passar pelo encolhimento das metas inflacionárias, que impactaria diretamente na expectativa dos agentes sobre a inflação futura. / The purpose of this dissertartion is to analyse the interaction between fiscal and monetary authorities in Brazil, in a way that we can be able to measure the level of fiscal dominance occurring in brazilian economy. To attain this purpose, we make use of a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with sticky prices and non-zero trend inflation, whose parameters are estimated by bayesian inference. We conclude that the level of the fiscal dominance in Brazil is low, in scale compared to american e canadian economies. This result has consequence in policy conduction that aims to decrease inflation, suggesting that may be necessary straiten the inflation target to reduce the inflation and affect the agent’s expectation about the future inflation.

O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a interação entre as autoridades fiscal e monetária no Brasil, de forma a mensurar o nível de dominância fiscal existente na economia brasileira. Para alcançar este objetivo, utiliza-se um modelo de equilíbrio geral dinâmico e estocástico desenvolvido para uma economia com rigidez de preços e com tendência inflacionária, cujos parâmetros de interesses são estimados por inferência bayesiana. Conclui-se que o nível de dominância fiscal na economia brasileira é baixa, em patamar comparado ao da economia norte-americana e canadense. Este resultado tem impacto direto na condução de políticas que visam a redução da inflação, sugerindo que esta atividade deva passar pelo encolhimento das metas inflacionárias, que impactaria diretamente na expectativa dos agentes sobre a inflação futura. / The purpose of this dissertartion is to analyse the interaction between fiscal and monetary authorities in Brazil, in a way that we can be able to measure the level of fiscal dominance occurring in brazilian economy. To attain this purpose, we make use of a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with sticky prices and non-zero trend inflation, whose parameters are estimated by bayesian inference. We conclude that the level of the fiscal dominance in Brazil is low, in scale compared to american e canadian economies. This result has consequence in policy conduction that aims to decrease inflation, suggesting that may be necessary straiten the inflation target to reduce the inflation and affect the agent’s expectation about the future inflation.

Práce se zabývá malým DSGE modelem (model čtvrté generace) v prostředí české a slovenské ekonomiky. Jádro analytické části tvoří srovnání odhadnutého a optimálního pravidla a zároveň jejich porovnání s reálnými výstupy. Cílem je poukázat na efektivnost centrální banky při stabilizaci variability inflace a výstupu ekonomiky. Teoretická část poskytuje znalosti usnadňující pochopení souvislostí tohoto modelu a zároveň nás obeznámí s modely, které v dnešní době využívá Česká národní banka a Národná banka Slovenska.

This thesis analyzes the incomplete exchange rate pass-through effect on Mongolian economy and its implication on monetary policy under foreign and domestic shocks. The analysis is carried out in a small open economy New Keynesian DSGE model proposed by Monacelli (2005), where incomplete exchange rate pass-through is introduced via nominal rigidities on import prices. In order to accomplish the goal, we firstly derive the solutions of the model, calibrate the parameters, and finally simulate the impulse responses. Moreover, SVAR estimation is achieved to estimate the pass-through. Four main results are obtained. First, the exchange rate pass-through into import price and inflation is 0.69% and 0.49% respectively in short run, implying incomplete pass-through in Mongolia. Second, the exchange rate acts as a shock absorber for domestic productivity and foreign demand shock, but as a shock amplifier for domestic demand shock. Third, in case of incomplete pass-through the central bank of Mongolia is required to adjust the nominal interest rate more under the productivity shock, but less for the domestic and foreign demand shock. Finally, deviations from the law of one price contributes considerably to the variability of the output gap under the low pass-through. Therefore, considering incomplete pass-through in...

This dissertation consists of three chapters related to macroeconomic implications of financial frictions, along with an application of macro-finance models to the Chinese economy. The first two chapters focus on government guarantees on business loans to state-owned enterprises (SOEs), a typical practice of the Chinese government. Chapter 1 embeds partial loan guarantees into the loan contracting problem, built upon the costly state verification framework. A larger degree of guarantees dampens the sensitivity of the loan rate to a change in leverage, which incentivizes entrepreneurs to lever up. Also, greater guarantees reduce entrepreneurs' exposures to credit risks, hence altering their choices of investment and leverage in response to an exogenous risk shock. Chapter 2 proceeds to develop a New Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model and investigates the effect of government guarantees on capital misallocation and business cycle fluctuations in China. On one hand, government guarantees mitigate the influence of the financial accelerator mechanism on investment and production of both SOEs and private-owned enterprises (POEs). On the other hand, by inducing a time-varying dispersion in returns on capital across SOEs and POEs, government guarantees exert a negative impact on the allocative efficiency of resources and thus cause further losses on total factor productivity (TFP) and output during recessions. Quantitative analyses show that partial loan guarantees to SOEs are counterproductive in moderating the reaction of GDP to both risk and technology shocks. Chapter 3 develops a DSGE model with financial constraints on entrepreneurs and banks, featuring a risk-based bank capital requirement, and discusses the role of Basel II in reinforcing procyclical tendencies of the credit market and the real economy. I study impulse responses of the calibrated model to various shocks. Quantitative results show that the direction and magnitude of cyclical effects arising from Basel II strongly depend on the nature of macroeconomic shocks that hit the economy: only a risk shock can generate noticeable procyclical effect, while the procyclicality under a TFP shock and the countercyclicality under a shock to the marginal efficiency of investment (MEI) are quantitatively insignificant.