This paper provides a generic, very fast method for computing exact density ratio class bounds on posterior expectations, given the output of a posterior simulator. It illustrates application of the method in an econometric model of typical complexity. In this model, the exact bounds for expectations of some functions of interest are well approximated by the established asymptotic approximation...

We propose a method for modifying a given density forecast in a way that incorporates the information contained in theory-based moment conditions. An example is "improving" the forecasts from atheoretical econometric models, such as factor models or Bayesian VARs, by ensuring that they satisfy theoretical restrictions given for example by Euler equations or Taylor rules. The method yields a new...

In this paper I propose an alternative to calibration of linearized singular dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models. Given an a-theoretical econometric model as a representative of the data generating process, I will construct an information measure which compares the conditional distribution of the econometric model variables with the corresponding singular conditional distribution of t...

1Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), Vienna, Austria 2Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital (WIC), Vienna, Austria 3World Population Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Laxenburg, Austria 4Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO), Vienna, Austria 5Research Group Macroeconomics and Economic Poli...

This paper examines the rationale underlying periodic price promotions, or sales, for perishable food products by supermarket retailers. Whereas previous studies explain sales in a single-product context as arising from informational, storage cost, or demand heterogeneity, this study focuses on the central role of retailers as multi-product sellers of complementary goods. By offering a larger n...

The tools for policy evaluation and analysis reviewed in the preceding chapters are all ex-post, as they essentially compare the distribution of welfare over a population before and after a given policy or a given local program is implemented. While ex-post evaluation is essential for assessing the true impacts of existing policies and programs, there are many instances in which policymakers wo...

We examine the crucial policy question of whether the South African (SA) stock market values a dual board leadership structure (DBLS) using a sample of 169 listed firms from 2002 to 2007. We find a significant positive link between DBLS and market valuation, but only in firms with independent chairpersons, implying that the market values firms with independent DBLS more highly. Our results are ...

In order to explore how Web search volume dynamically influences product sales during the whole product life cycle, this paper collects Web search volume and sales data of movies and does an empirical analysis using econometric models. The empirical results show that Web search volume before the launch of a new product has a positive impact on the product sales in the initial period of introduc...

Irrigation is one means by which agricultural production can be increased to meet the growing food demands in the world. This study evaluated the effect of small-scale irrigation on farm household income in production. The specific objective of this study is to identify the factors influencing participation in small-scale irrigation and provides bases for policy makers in Girawa district, Easte...

This paper reviews the properties suggested in the methodological literature on the measurement of gender segregation by occupation. It is found that an index of segregation based on the entropy concept satisfies twelve basic axioms previously proposed in the single-dimensional case. This index can be expressed as the sum of a between-group and a within-group term in the two-dimensional case. I...