A COMPARISON OF THE MULTIPLIERS OF IMPLAN, REMI, AND RIMS-II - BENCHMARKING READY-MADE MODELS FOR COMPARISON

The IMPLAN, REMI and RIMS II regional input-output models are used ext ensively in regional policy analysis. Yet, no study exists that compar es all three models. Therefore, this study compares the multipliers of these three models for Clark County, Nevada. It is found that the mul tipliers of the default versions of the models delivered by the vendor s significantly differ across models. Benchmarked versions of the mode ls are obtained by controlling for differences in closure rules and te chniques used to regionalize national input-output coefficients. The m ultipliers of the benchmarked versions generally do not significantly differ. Thus, conclusions can be reached about what differences exist between the multipliers of the three models and why. Moreover, the met hod used to benchmark the models for comparison provides users of thes e models with the potential to improve their model.