This paper estimates the output gap in Russia using a utilization-adjusted production function approach, which we argue is preferable to traditional output gap methods. The approach amounts to (1) using available surveys to estimate the 'natural rates' of capacity and labor utilization above...

Intro -- Contents -- I. INTRODUCTION -- II. THE NONACCELERATING INFLATION RATE OF FACTOR UTILIZATION -- III. FACTOR UTILIZATION IN RUSSIA -- A. Capacity Utilization -- B. Labor Utilization -- C. Estimating the Natural Rate -- IV. OUTPUT GAP ESTIMATES -- A. Trend Fitting and Statistical Filtering...

This paper estimates the output gap in Russia using a utilization-adjusted production function approach, which we argue is preferable to traditional output gap methods. The approach amounts to (1) using available surveys to estimate the ""natural rates"" of capacity and labor utilization above...