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Homogeneous Linear Predictor Models Specified by Constraints on the Goodman and Kruskal Tau Index
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Estimating the cost of children through Engel curves by different good aggregates
Full text linkEquivalence scales for the cost of children are estimated for one of the most developed Italian region (Lombardia) through the Engel approach. The data set is obtained from the survey on household consumption expenditures, which is hold by the Italian Central Institute for Statistics (ISTAT) in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. The estimation of equivalence scales is not restricted to the share devoted to food. Besides the usual share of food and non-alcoholic beverages, 1w, we specify four further shares of necessities. The results obtained in this research show that in estimating equivalence scales through Engel curves it is very important to specify in control variables to take account for heterogeneity among families. Though the food share can still be a valid indicator to compare family welfare and then to estimate equivalence scales, in some situations it results to be misleading. The experiment of adopting broader good aggregates as indicators gives interesting results and more likely estimates in correspondence of some family typologies
How to deal with negative values in the calculation of the Gini coefficient
No full textThere could be several reasons for an income unit to have net incomes that are negative Often, in real surveys, in addition to positive incomes, one can also observe negative incomes, especially when assessing income units and financial assets such as, for instance, capital gains. Two other important factors affecting a positive net income value are that the business of a self-employed individual might have made a loss during the period under consideration, or that the transfers made by an individual to other individuals might have exceeded his total income. Another example can be given by tax systems admitting negative income taxes, which can be originated, for example, by children.
The most common practice is to eliminate the observations with negative values. Other researchers suggest converting negative values into zero. In order to avoid Gini coefficients greater than 1, Chen, Tsaur and Rhai (1982), introduce a new normalization. The idea if the authors, was subsequently refined by Berrebi and Silber (1985). Recently Raffinetti, Siletti and Vernizzi (2014), have suggested a further normalization which can be applied provided that the sum of negative values and that of positive values remain unchanged. Chen and al.’s normalization keeps fixed the distribution of negative values, whilst Raffinetti et al. consider the maximum inequality which can arise in presence both of positive and negative values. In this paper we shall go through the approaches here enlisted, tackling them by the absolute difference average approach. By simulations performed on the basis of the bank of Italy SHIW (2012) we shall compare the effects of erasing negative values with the approach suggested by Raffinetti, Siletti and Vernizzi (2014)
A contribution to the estimation of equivalence scales in Poland
No full textThe main goal of this work is estimating general equivalence scales for Poland using different methods like: Engel method, Almost Ideal Demand System, Quadratic AIDS and Non-linear Preference System. A second is making a comparison of average welfare of different types of household with the welfare of childless couples during the period from 1993 to 2000. For all calculations we use yearly data from 1993-2000, collected during the household budget surveys carried out by the Polish Central Statistical Office. Here we consider the following groups of households: married couples without children, married couples with one child, married couples with two children, married couples with three children, married couples with four and more children and mother alone with children. In the period 1993-2000 families with more than two children attain on average a standard of living which is stably lower than couples without children, with a trend which is negative mostly where children are numerous and for mother alone with children. Only families with one child always present an equivalent expenditure stably higher than that of the reference typology. Families with four and more children in 2000
On the Use of Control Variables in PLS-SEM = Sull’Uso delle Variabili di Controllo nei PLS-SEM
Full text linkRecentemente diversi autori hanno dedicato attenzione al problema delle variabili di controllo. Nonostante le molte raccomandazioni suggerite per gestire queste variabili in modo più efficiente, le buone pratiche sono ancora ampiamente ́ ignorate, in particolare questo argomento non e stato ancora approfondito nei modelli ad equazioni strutturali. Questo lavoro propone alcune linee guida a chi deve utilizzare le variabili di controllo nei modelli ad equazioni strutturali con stima dei minimi quadrati parziali.Several authors have recently devoted more attention to the control variables methodological issue. Despite many recommendations to handle these variables more efficiently, good practices are still widely disregarded, and especially this topic has not yet been studied in depth for structural equation models. This paper suggests best research practices for researchers who deal with the use of control variables in partial least squares structural equation models
A new index of quality of life merging traditional and big data
No full textSince 1990 Il Sole 24 Ore has provided a quality of life index for the Italian provinces. The index is obtained considering six dimensions, each of them defined through seven measured indicators. Indicators and dimensions refer to objective aspects of well-being. Recently, Iacus, Porro, Salini and Siletti have presented an index to measure the quality of life (SWBI) based on Twitter data, which therefore consider the perceived subjective well-being. This index evaluates separately eight dimensions. The aim of the paper is to merge the objective information from the Il Sole 24 index with those subjective from SWBI. First of all, we propose to estimate three macro dimensions representing respectively the At work, Personal and Social well-being; simultaneously, we estimate a new overall measure of well-being. To achieve these results, Partial Least Squares - Path Models are applied, in particular those for hierarchical constructs
Forecasting the evolution of agbiotech innovation : lessons from patent data
No full textWhat will be the scenario of development of agrobiotechnology in the next years? Which type of crops will be planted in the fields, what kind of new food will appear on the tables? Ten years ago the milestone document “Review of GMO’s under research and Development and in the pipeline in Europe” was published by JRC. The report was addressed to point out the scenario of GM plants in the pipeline in the next decade in the EU, with some touches on the rest of the world, according to three different time period: short, medium and long term perspective. Now in 2013 it’s time to check it up. The wide range of innovation in bioeconomy, anyway, could be explored through different methods and tools. Actually one of the most “close to the invention” analysis is based on intellectual property rights factors. This study presents an empirical investigation of what patent data can reveal about the subject of agrobiotech innovations in each of the three above categories and its evolution over time, from the initial sprout of these technologies in early 1980 until today. The hottest issues connected to this field, as cultivation in developing countries and quality traits, are examined and quantified through econometric analysis from a Country point of view. A deeper level of the analysis deal with patent families counts and its comparison with simple patent count in order to investigate similarities and differences in the dynamics that drive innovation and subsequent IP disseminatio
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