Varying-Coefficient Functional Linear Regression Models

This article considers a generalization of the functional linear regression in which an additional real variable influences smoothly the functional coefficient. We thus define a varying-coefficient regression model for functional data. We propose two estimators based, respectively, on conditional functional principal regression and on local penalized regression splines and prove their pointwise consistency. We check, with the prediction one day ahead of ozone concentration in the city of Toulouse, the ability of such nonlinear functional approaches to produce competitive estimations.     

The Estimation and Testing of the Cointegration Order Based on the Frequency Domain

ABSTRACT

This article proposes a method to estimate the degree of cointegration in bivariate series and suggests a test statistic for testing noncointegration based on the determinant of the spectral density matrix for the frequencies close to zero. In the study, series are assumed to be I(d), 0 < d ? 1, with parameter d supposed to be known. In this context, the order of integration of the error series is I(d ? b), b ∈ [0, d]. Besides, the determinant of the spectral density matrix for the dth difference series is a power function of b. The proposed estimator for b is obtained here performing a regression of logged determinant on a set of logged Fourier frequencies. Under the null hypothesis of noncointegration, the expressions for the bias and variance of the estimator were derived and its consistency property was also obtained. The asymptotic normality of the estimator, under Gaussian and non-Gaussian innovations, was also established. A Monte Carlo study was performed and showed that the suggested test possesses correct size and good power for moderate sample sizes, when compared with other proposals in the literature. An advantage of the method proposed here, over the standard methods, is that it allows to know the order of integration of the error series without estimating a regression equation. An application was conducted to exemplify the method in a real context.     

The performance appraisal process: a model and some testable propositions.

A literature-based model of the determinants of the accuracy of performance ratings is presented. The model indicates that the major determinants of accuracy are: (a) rater motivation; (b) rater ability; and (c) availability of appropriate judgmental norms. Several propositions and suggestions for further research are derived from the components of the model.     

Selection of regressors in econometrics: parametric and nonparametric methods selection of regressors in econometrics

The present paper addresses the selection-of-regressors issue into a general discrimination framework. We show how this framework is useful in unifying various procedures for selecting regressors and helpful in understanding the different strategies underlying these procedures. We review selection of regressors in linear, nonlinear and nonparametric regression models. In each case we successively consider model selection criteria and hypothesis testing procedures.     

Regulating product markets: a growing challenge for open economies – with special references to agro-food product markets

In the present phase of internationalisation, processes of social construction of product markets are under stress. On one hand, the internationalisation of production processes gives more room for manoeuvre to the producers. On the other hand, the development of scientific technologies, embedded with new risks and uncertainties, makes it difficult to control the quality of products and production processes. The drive for competitiveness in a world where only free trade arguments seem to be heard limits the willingness of individual countries to take action. International institutions have been unable to launch the international co-ordination that could have helped countries to get out of this deadlock, though they need to fight climate change and pollution as well as the pressing new environmental hazards, which are illustrated with the case of the agro-food product markets in Europe. They should foster international processes of social construction of product markets to learn how to strike a better balance between free trade and safe trade principles before it is too late.     

A positive psychology intervention to foster economic integration of Syrian refugees in the Netherlands

Research shows that the labour market integration of refugees is often problematic. Little is known about what kind of measures are effective to help them integrate into the labour market. In the Netherlands, a positive psychology intervention “Mosaic” for Syrian refugees was developed to support their economic participation. This study aims to assess the effect of “Mosaic” on the economic participation and work-related attitudes of Syrian refugees. “Mosaic” was implemented in six municipalities by conducting an RCT with a waiting list control group. The results show that in the short term, the intervention group realizes a significantly larger increase in hours spent on an internship as well as substantially larger gains in confidence to find work in the future. In the long term, the intervention group experiences larger confidence gains related to finding a job that fits their education and experience.