This paper constructs a theoretical model matching empirically observed relationships between average labor productivity and the number of operating firms. The models in the related literature which utilize CES utility function find no relationship between average labor productivity and the number of operating firms in the economy (Melitz, Marc J. [2003. “The Impact of Trade on Intra-Industry Reallocations and Aggregate Industry Productivity.” Econometrica 71 (6): 1695–1725] and many versions of this model). Moreover, the models which utilize non-homothetic preferences with a numeraire good find a positive relationship between average labor productivity and the number of operating firms (Melitz, Marc, and Gianmarco I. P. Ottaviano [2008. “Market Size, Trade, and Productivity.” Review of Economic Studies 75: 295–316] and many versions of this model). However, the model developed in this paper provides a single theoretical framework that depending on the source, a rise in the average labor productivity may lead to an increase or a decrease in the number of operating firms. In line with our results, we provide empirical evidence from ten European countries for the 2008–2016 period, which shows that the correlation between these two variables is positive for some of the countries, while negative for the others.

本文构建了一个理论模型，匹配经验观察到的平均劳动生产率与经营企业数量之间的关系。相关文献中利用 CES 效用函数的模型发现平均劳动生产率与经济中经营公司的数量之间没有关系（Melitz, Marc J. [2003.“贸易对行业内重新分配和综合行业生产力的影响.” Econometrica 71 (6): 1695–1725] 以及该模型的许多版本）。此外，利用非同位偏好和计价对象的模型发现平均劳动生产率与运营公司数量之间存在正相关关系（Melitz、Marc 和 Gianmarco IP Ottaviano [2008.“市场规模、贸易和生产率。”）。Review of Economic Studies 75: 295-316] 以及该模型的许多版本）。然而，本文开发的模型提供了一个单一的理论框架，根据来源，平均劳动生产率的提高可能导致经营企业数量的增加或减少。与我们的结果一致，我们提供了 2008-2016 年期间来自十个欧洲国家的经验证据，这表明这两个变量之间的相关性对一些国家是正相关，而对其他国家是负相关。