Giuseppe Albanese

In this paper, we assess the ability of the Cobb-Douglas framework to match the empirical evidence for Italy. While the growth accounting approach requires the validity of this functional form and of its parameters, we conduct econometric analysis on a panel of regions for the years 2000- 2006 and suggest (i) an alternative specification and (ii) a twofold time series data construction, under which the Cobb-Douglas framework appears to yield the most credible and well-specified formulation of the Italian production function. Key words: Production function, Total Factor Productivity, Capital stocks. JEL Classification: O47, E23.