A new slacks-based measure of Malmquist–Luenberger index in the presence of undesirable outputs

In the majority of production processes, noticeable amounts of bad byproducts or bad outputs are produced. The negative effects of the bad outputs on efficiency cannot be handled by the standard Malmquist index to measure productivity change over time. Toward this end, the Malmquist–Luenberger index (MLI) has been introduced, when undesirable outputs are present. In this paper, we introduce a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model as well as an algorithm, which can successfully eliminate a common infeasibility problem encountered in MLI mixed period problems. This model incorporates the best endogenous direction amongst all other possible directions to increase desirable output and decrease the undesirable outputs at the same time. A simple example used to illustrate the new algorithm and a real application of steam power plants is used to show the applicability of the proposed model.     

基于非参数投入前沿面的Malmquist生产率指数研究

本文采用生产前沿面理论及其非参数方法,对假定产出确定条件下投入压缩的生产率指数──基于投入前沿面的Malmquist生产率指数进行了理论与测度方法研究。通过规模收益不变且要素自由(C,S)前沿面条件下的技术效率、距离函数及其非参数模型的分析,本文给出了基于非参数(C,S)投入前沿面的Malmquist生产率指数的非参数测度模型,并从技术变化和资源配置效率变化两个方面进行了分解。     

The Realized Laplace Transform of Volatility

We introduce and derive the asymptotic behavior of a new measure constructed from high‐frequency data which we call the realized Laplace transform of volatility. The statistic provides a nonparametric estimate for the empirical Laplace transform function of the latent stochastic volatility process over a given interval of time and is robust to the presence of jumps in the price process. With a long span of data, that is, under joint long‐span and infill asymptotics, the statistic can be used to construct a nonparametric estimate of the volatility Laplace transform as well as of the integrated joint Laplace transform of volatility over different points of time. We derive feasible functional limit theorems for our statistic both under fixed‐span and infill asymptotics as well as under joint long‐span and infill asymptotics which allow us to quantify the precision in estimation under both sampling schemes.     

Evolving the latent variable model as an environmental DEA technology

This article tests several nonparametric DEA models for their ability to accurately decompose CO₂ emissions change using a Malmquist styled decomposition framework. This production oriented activity analysis involves panel data and two data sets from the literature for comparison. A new Latent Variable radial input-oriented technology is introduced that is closely associated with a Koopmans Efficient Slacks Based Model. The Latent Variable technology simultaneously reduces inputs and undesirable outputs in a single Multiple Objective Linear Program. This production theoretic methodology is adapted to preserve both scale efficiency and causality within the envelopment framework. Finally, the application studies demonstrate the internal consistency of the Latent Variable reduction coefficients, which overturns previous results and paves the way for further research into undesirable externalities.     

Sieve Wald and QLR Inferences on Semi/Nonparametric Conditional Moment Models

This paper considers inference on functionals of semi/nonparametric conditional moment restrictions with possibly nonsmooth generalized residuals, which include all of the (nonlinear) nonparametric instrumental variables (IV) as special cases. These models are often ill‐posed and hence it is difficult to verify whether a (possibly nonlinear) functional is root‐n estimable or not. We provide computationally simple, unified inference procedures that are asymptotically valid regardless of whether a functional is root‐n estimable or not. We establish the following new useful results: (1) the asymptotic normality of a plug‐in penalized sieve minimum distance (PSMD) estimator of a (possibly nonlinear) functional; (2) the consistency of simple sieve variance estimators for the plug‐in PSMD estimator, and hence the asymptotic chi‐square distribution of the sieve Wald statistic; (3) the asymptotic chi‐square distribution of an optimally weighted sieve quasi likelihood ratio (QLR) test under the null hypothesis; (4) the asymptotic tight distribution of a non‐optimally weighted sieve QLR statistic under the null; (5) the consistency of generalized residual bootstrap sieve Wald and QLR tests; (6) local power properties of sieve Wald and QLR tests and of their bootstrap versions; (7) asymptotic properties of sieve Wald and SQLR for functionals of increasing dimension. Simulation studies and an empirical illustration of a nonparametric quantile IV regression are presented.     

评价电信企业客户满意度动态变化的Malmquist指数

介绍了基于DEA模型的M alm qu ist指数,并在此基础上提出了一种评价电信企业客户满意度动态变化的M alm qu ist指数评价法。运用M alm qu ist指数从纯技术效率、技术变化和主因素生产率等方面,对A省移动通信公司的17个分公司客户满意度的动态变化进行了有效性评价,并指出该公司今后应该通过技术创新和提高技术效率来改善客户满意度。     

基于双前沿面数据包络分析的循环全局Malmquist指数

利用全部时期的技术构成的前沿面为参照,将双前沿面数据包络分析下的Malmquist指数拓展为双前沿面数据包络分析下的全局Malmquist指数。该全局Malmquist指数不仅较好地综合了乐观前沿面和悲观前沿面两部分信息,而且满足循环性检验;不仅可以避免由于前沿面选择的不同而导致的差异,还可以避免因时期选择的任意性而导致的差异。将其用于福建省工业行业2001-2008年的全要素生产率分析,研究结果较好地说明了该方法的有效性和实用性。     

Inference in Nonparametric Instrumental Variables With Partial Identification

This paper develops methods for hypothesis testing in a nonparametric instrumental variables setting within a partial identification framework. We construct and derive the asymptotic distribution of a test statistic for the hypothesis that at least one element of the identified set satisfies a conjectured restriction. The same test statistic can be employed under identification, in which case the hypothesis is whether the true model satisfies the posited property. An almost sure consistent bootstrap procedure is provided for obtaining critical values. Possible applications include testing for semiparametric specifications as well as building confidence regions for certain functionals on the identified set. As an illustration we obtain confidence intervals for the level and slope of Brazilian fuel Engel curves. A Monte Carlo study examines finite sample performance.     

单指标非参数期权定价——改进的非参数定价方法

本文建立一种改进的非参数期权定价模型,称为单指标非参数期权定价模型。相比现有非参数回归期权定价模型是期权价格关于各个因素的多元回归函数,本模型通过变量变换把期权价格多个因素指标转换为一个综合变量——单指标,得到期权价格关于单指标的一元非参数回归方程。改进的模型实现了多元非参数期权定价模型的降维和简化了模型计算;还通过多个期限期权的单指标组合解决了非参数估计的样本数量问题;以及通过期限平滑解决了现有非参数定价模型中的日历效应问题。选取上证50ETF期权数据实证分析表明,无论是样本内的估计结果还是样本外的预测结果都比传统的Black-Scholes模型、半参数Black-Scholes模型和多元非参数回归期权定价模型估计效果有提高。     

Direct Data Manipulation for Local Decision Analysis as Applied to the Problem of Arsenic in Drinking Water from Tube Wells in Bangladesh

A wide variety of tools are available, both parametric and nonparametric, for analyzing spatial data. However, it is not always clear how to translate statistical inferences into decision recommendations. This article explores the possibilities of estimating the effects of decision options using very direct manipulation of data, bypassing formal statistical analysis. We illustrate with the application that motivated this research, a study of arsenic in drinking water in nearly 5,000 wells in a small area in rural Bangladesh. We estimate the potential benefits of two possible remedial actions: (1) recommendations that people switch to nearby wells with lower arsenic levels; and (2) drilling new community wells. We use simple nonparametric clustering methods and estimate uncertainties using cross-validation.     

基于非参数估计框架的期望效用最大化最优投资组合

本文基于期望效用最大化和非参数估计框架研究了最优投资组合选择问题。和以往大多文献假定资产收益率服从某些特定分布不同资产收益率的分布类型无需作任何假设。首先在一般效用函数下,利用组合收益率密度函数的非参数核估计给出了期望效用的基本非参数估计公式,并建立了期望效用最大化投资组合选择问题的基本框架。然后,在投资者具有幂效用函数的假定下,给出了期望效用具体的非参数计算公式,并给出了求解最大期望效用的数值算法。最后,利用中国证券交易所11支股票日收益率的真实数据给出了一个数值算例。本文提出的非参数估计框架具有一般性,还可以进一步用来研究各种现实条件下（如各种现实不等式约束和具有交易成本）的投资组合管理问题。     

THE TIMING OF LABOR TRANSFERS IN DUAL RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED SYSTEMS: “PUSH” VS. “PULL” RULES*

Altough the dual resource-constrained (DRC) system has been studied, the decision rule used to determine when workers are eligible for transfer largely has been ignored. Some earlier studies examined the impact of this rule [5] [12] [15] but did not include labor-transfer times in their models. Gunther [6] incorporated labour-transfer times into his model, but the model involved only one worker and two machines. No previous study has examined decision rules that initiate labor transfers based on labor needs (“pull” rules). Labor transfers always have been initiated based on lack of need (“push” rules). This study examines three “pull” variations of the “When” labor-assignment decision rule. It compares their performances to the performances of two “push” rules and a comparable machine-limited system. A nonparametric statistical test, Jonckheere's S statistic, is used to test for significance of the rankings of the rules: a robust parametric multiple-comparison statistical test, Tukey's B statistic, is used to test the differences. One “pull” and one “push” decision rule provide similar performances and top the rankings consistently. Decision rules for determining when labor should be transferred from one work area to another are valuable aids for managers. This especially is true for the ever-increasing number of managers operating in organizations that recognize the benefits of a cross-trained work force. Recently there has been much interest in cross-training workers, perhaps because one of the mechanisms used in just-in-time systems to handle unbalanced work loads is to have cross-trained workers who can be shifted as demand dictates [8]. If management is to take full advantage of a cross-trained work force, it need to know when to transfer workers.     

Fixed‐Smoothing Asymptotics in a Two‐Step Generalized Method of Moments Framework

This paper develops the fixed‐smoothing asymptotics in a two‐step generalized method of moments (GMM) framework. Under this type of asymptotics, the weighting matrix in the second‐step GMM criterion function converges weakly to a random matrix and the two‐step GMM estimator is asymptotically mixed normal. Nevertheless, the Wald statistic, the GMM criterion function statistic, and the Lagrange multiplier statistic remain asymptotically pivotal. It is shown that critical values from the fixed‐smoothing asymptotic distribution are high order correct under the conventional increasing‐smoothing asymptotics. When an orthonormal series covariance estimator is used, the critical values can be approximated very well by the quantiles of a noncentral F distribution. A simulation study shows that statistical tests based on the new fixed‐smoothing approximation are much more accurate in size than existing tests.     

Benchmark Dose Analysis via Nonparametric Regression Modeling

Estimation of benchmark doses (BMDs) in quantitative risk assessment traditionally is based upon parametric dose‐response modeling. It is a well‐known concern, however, that if the chosen parametric model is uncertain and/or misspecified, inaccurate and possibly unsafe low‐dose inferences can result. We describe a nonparametric approach for estimating BMDs with quantal‐response data based on an isotonic regression method, and also study use of corresponding, nonparametric, bootstrap‐based confidence limits for the BMD. We explore the confidence limits’ small‐sample properties via a simulation study, and illustrate the calculations with an example from cancer risk assessment. It is seen that this nonparametric approach can provide a useful alternative for BMD estimation when faced with the problem of parametric model uncertainty.     

半参数空间ZISF的估计、分类与蒙特卡罗模拟

零无效率随机前沿模型（ZISF）包含随机前沿模型和回归模型，两模型各有一定的发生概率，适用于技术无效生产单元和技术有效生产单元同时存在的情形。本文在ZISF的生产函数中引入空间效应和非参函数，并假设回归模型的发生概率为非参函数，构建了半参数空间ZISF。该模型可有效避免忽略空间效应导致的有偏且不一致估计量，也避免了线性模型的拟合不足。本文对非参函数采用B样条逼近，使用极大似然方法和JLMS法分别估计参数和技术效率。蒙特卡罗结果表明：①本文方法的估计精度和分类精度均较高。随着样本容量的增大，精度增加。②忽略空间效应或者非参数效应，估计精度和分类精度降低，文中模型有存在必要性。③忽略发生概率的非参数效应会严重降低估计和分类精度，远大于忽略生产函数的非参数效应的影响。     

Asymptotic Variance of Semiparametric Estimators With Generated Regressors

We study the asymptotic distribution of three‐step estimators of a finite‐dimensional parameter vector where the second step consists of one or more nonparametric regressions on a regressor that is estimated in the first step. The first‐step estimator is either parametric or nonparametric. Using Newey's (1994) path‐derivative method, we derive the contribution of the first‐step estimator to the influence function. In this derivation, it is important to account for the dual role that the first‐step estimator plays in the second‐step nonparametric regression, that is, that of conditioning variable and that of argument.     

金融市场高维波动率的扩展广义正交GARCH模型与参数估计方法研究

本文对Van der Weide(2002)的广义正交GARCH模型进行扩展,提出反映金融资产收益波动性特征,具有"杠杆效应"的广义正交GARCH模型。由于这种扩展的广义正交GARCH模型在高维数据中面临参数估计困难,本文从交互信息理论视角研究模型的参数估计问题,在理论上证明基于交互信息最小化的多元GARCH模型参数估计与基于极大似然函数参数估计的联系和区别,并在提出的扩展广义正交GARCH模型框架下,采用不同的统计技术实现基于交互信息最小化的参数估计方法,避免了传统极大似然函数估计需要事先正确指定标准化残差概率密度函数和高维运算困难,计算效率较高,使多元GARCH模型在高维数据中可以应用。最后,根据全球主要金融市场的15种股票指数数据,通过实证研究对建立的扩展广义正交GARCH模型及其参数估计方法有效性进行评价与检验。实证研究表明了本文提出的扩展广义正交GARCH模型与参数估计方法的优势。     

Body Weight Distributions for Risk Assessment

Precise age-specific average body weight estimates are necessary for deterministic risk assessments, and an accurate body weight distribution is equally important in probabilistic risk assessments. Age-specific body weight distributions for U.S. residents are estimated using NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) data collected in four surveys over the last 24 years. The weighted mean and standard deviation of natural log-transformed body weights are computed for single-year age groups and population age-specific weight patterns further described using piece-wise polynomial spline functions and nonparametric age-smoothed trend lines. These functions are used to compare distributional changes in age-specific body weight in the United States from the first NHANES survey in 1976-1980 to the most recent in 1999-2002. Analysis demonstrates that age- and sex-specific average body weight changes over this time period are not uniform. Use of these functions to compute body weight distributions for selected child-age categories is demonstrated.     

Statistical precision of DEA and Malmquist indices: A bootstrap application to Norwegian grain producers

Previous applications of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and its subsequent Malmquist indices to efficiency and productivity measurements have been criticised for not providing statistical inferences regarding the significance of observed results. In this paper, DEA and a Malmquist index are combined with a bootstrap method in order to provide succinct statistical inferences that determine the performance of grain producers in Eastern Norway. The data cover the period between 1987 and 1997. Results reveal: (i) a significant degree of inefficiency (approximately 11%) and an average productivity progress of 38% over the period considered; (ii) the formidable productivity progress observed is primarily explained by technical efficiency changes that enabled producers to catch up with front runners; and (iii) environmental factors, such as weather conditions, impact both efficiency and productivity. Finally, the analysis reveals that using bootstrapping to make statistical inferences suggests that researchers should be careful in making performance comparisons based on conventional DEA methods, as any discovered differences may not be significant.