Openness and Imperfect Pass-Through: Implications for the Monetary Policy

Abstract

This paper analyzes the positive and normative implications of the degree of openness of a small economy for the transmission mechanism of monetary shocks. First, we show empirical evidence on the direct relationship between openness and the degree of exchange rate pass-through. Then, we develop a general equilibrium model where countries do not fully specialize according to their comparative advantages. With this framework we show that incomplete specialization makes the pass-through from exchange rate to import prices imperfect. The less open is the country --the less specialized- the lower is the pass-through from exchange rate to import prices. Despite the fact that the pass-through is incomplete and the expenditure switching effect is diminished, the flexible price allocation can still be reached with an inward-oriented monetary policy.