Capital-Augmenting <Back to Last Page>     <Full Glossary>

Definition of Capital-Augmenting: Capital-augmenting is one of the ways in which an effectiveness variable could be included in a production function in a Solow model. If effectiveness A is multiplied by capital K but not by labor L, then we say the effectiveness variable is capital-augmenting.

For example, in the model of output Y where Y=(AK)^aL^1-a the effectiveness variable A is capital-augmenting but in the model Y=AK^aL^1-a it is not.

Another example would be a capital utilization variable as measured say by electricity usage. (E.g., as in Eichenbaum).

An example: in the context of a railroad, automatic railroad signaling, track-switching, and car-coupling devices are capital-augmenting. From Moses Abramovitz and Paul A. David, 1996. "Convergence and Deferred Catch-up: productivity leadership and the waning of American exceptionalism." In Mosaic of Economic Growth, edited by Ralph Landau, Timothy Taylor, and Gavin Wright. (Econterms)

Terms related to Capital-Augmenting:

• National accounts
• Capital
• Capital consumption
• Capital deepening
• Capital intensity
• Capital ratio
• Capital structure
• Human capital
• Social capital
• Solow model

About.Com Resources on Capital-Augmenting:
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Writing a Term Paper? Here are a few starting points for research on Capital-Augmenting:

Books on Capital-Augmenting:

• Romer, David. 1996. Advanced Macroeconomics. McGraw-Hill.

Journal Articles on Capital-Augmenting:
None

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