This dissertation studies efficiency of spatial allocation and optimal level of Social overhead capital(SOC) to analyze whether SOC capital of regions over-investment and suggest growth-maximizing ration of SOC capital and policy implications. Chapter...
This dissertation studies efficiency of spatial allocation and optimal level of Social overhead capital(SOC) to analyze whether SOC capital of regions over-investment and suggest growth-maximizing ration of SOC capital and policy implications. Chapter 2 deals with definition and recent policies on SOC capital and reports previous studies. Chapter3 estimates the annual data series for both private capital and SOC stocks for each of 16 regions covering the period 1997~2010. SOC stocks is estimated to be each of the eight sectors as roads, railways, airports, ports, water and sewage, irrigation and flood control, electricity and gas, and telecommunication. Since annual data series on private and SOC stocks are not officially provided and National Statistical Office investigates the figures on the tangible asset for the year of 1977, 1987, and 1997. To construct the capital data series polynomial benchmark year method and benchmark year method is utilized. Estimated capital data series are needed for economic analysis of chapter4 and chapter5. Chapter4 analyzes the regional production function for 16 regions in the period 1998~2010 to investigate the contribution of local economic growth and spatial spillover effects of SOC capital. The elasticity of output with respect to both private and SOC capital is estimated taking into account spillover effects of SOC capital. Spatial extent of spillover effects is defined as close or distant regions, same or different Economic Region, and similarities in per capital income, population density and manufacturing employment adopting different criteria for separating potential positive and negative spillover. The sectoral and spatial efficiency of private and SOC capital allocation is analyzed by calculating the marginal product of capital based on the estimates of output elasticities of both type of capital. The main findings are as follows. At first, it is found that the transport sector of SOC capital produce the positive spillover but facilities as non-transport sector have negative spillover effect to regional output. Secondly, SOC capital increases local private output and provides positive endowment reflecting the spillover effects. Thirdly, marginal product of roads and facilities capital is lower than marginal product of private capital but marginal product of railways, airports and ports capital is higher than marginal product of private capital. That is, roads and facilities capital has been over-investment and inefficiently allocated across several regions. Chapter5 estimates the growth-maximizing ratio of SOC capital to private capital and a non-linear theoretical relationship between SOC capital and
economic growth. The empirical results shows that optimal level of roads are 17% and railways, airports, and ports are 12% as large and the private capital stock. In addition empirical tests, it is found that SOC investment increases marginal product of private capital and crowds in private investment of regions.