Output and Unemployment Dynamics in Transition

In this paper, we present a simple but rigorous model of the dynamics of output and Unemployment in transition. We consider a worker-entrepreneur, who is 'locked in' to her current production technique, with a choice of continuing to work with it or search for a better technique. If she succeeds she jumps to the "cutting edge" frontier; if not she becomes unemployed and searches in the next period. We model a movement to a market economy as a discontinuous jump in the technological frontier and analyze the transitional dynamics. We are able to contrast the difference between a fully anticipated versus an unanticipated policy shock. After an unanticipated shock, output falls immediately and unemployment spikes, as agents search for better techniques. Output is higher in the new steady state, but is approached by dampening oscillations. The results become more interesting when the reform is fully anticipated Unemployment falls and output stagnates in anticipation of the reform. Suprisingly, output exhibits cycles before and after the reform. Therefore, announcing a reform in advance may have unintended negative consequences.