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Firms' Knightian Uncertainty during the COVID-19 Crisis

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  • MORIKAWA Masayuki
Abstract
This study uses panel data (2004Q2–2021Q2) from a large-scale official statistical survey of Japanese firms to document the trends and characteristics of Knightian uncertainty, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we analyze the relationship between Knightian uncertainty and investment at the firm level. According to the results, first, unlike the global financial crisis, which was characterized by a definite negative projection, uncertainty increased significantly during the COVID-19 crisis. Second, there is a positive correlation between the uncertainty over firms’ business conditions (micro uncertainty) and the uncertainty over domestic economic conditions (macro uncertainty), but there are many firms whose business outlooks are certain even if the macroeconomic outlook is uncertain. Third, uncertainty has a negative association with future investments at the firm level, and the role of micro uncertainty dominates that of macro uncertainty.

Suggested Citation

  • MORIKAWA Masayuki, 2022. "Firms' Knightian Uncertainty during the COVID-19 Crisis," Discussion papers 22089, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    • Handle: RePEc:eti:dpaper:22089
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