Local determinacy with non-separable utility

This paper introduces general formulations for both technology (with input substitution) and non-separable utility (compatible with balanced growth and stationary worked hours) into a benchmark RBC model. It is shown that intertemporal substitution and input substitutability lead to local determinacy and rule out stationary sunspot equilibria when labor demand is downward-sloping, in contrast with recent results obtained under the assumption of separable utility. The main intuition behind this result is shown to work as follows: in contrast with separable preferences, increasing the elasticity of intertemporal substitution in consumption necessarily implies decreasing the elasticity of constant-consumption labor supply, when utility is non-separable and concave, which affects unfavorably the occurrence of local indeterminacy. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.