Semi-parametric estimation of disequilibrium models

This paper presents an easy-to-compute semi-parametric (SP) method to estimate a simple disequilibrium model proposed by Fair and Jaffee (1972). The proposed approach is based on a non-parametric interpretation of the EM (Expectation and Maximization) principle (Dempster et al; 1977) and the least squares method. The simple disequilibrium model includes the demand equation, the supply equation, and the condition that only the minimum of quantity demanded and quantity supplied is observed. The method used here allows one to consistently estimate the disequilibrium model without fully specifying the distribution of error terms in both demand and supply equations. Our Monte Carlo study suggests that the proposedestimator is better than the normal maximum likelihood estimator under asymmetric error distributions. and comparable to the nlaximunl likelihood estimator under synirnetric error distributions in finite samples. Aggregate U.S. labor market data from Quandt and Rosen (1988) is used to illustrate the procedure.