Some remarks on an admissibility condition

Summary In this note we deal with some admissibility conditions proved by G. B. Tranquilli to be sufficient in the class of unbiased estimators of finite population parameters and with respect to (w.r.t.) a quadratic loss function. We show that the same conditions:i) are sufficient for the admissibility of an unbiased estimator with any loss function;ii) imply hyperadmissibility with reference to a particular (critical) population of the. From this fact we deduce that, for a fixed critical population, there is at most one estimator, in the class of all unbiased estimator of a finite population parameter, which satisfies Tranquilli condition. This research was partially supported by a M.U.R.S.T. grant ?Metodi inferenziali basati sul ricampionamento?.     

The probability integral of the sample correlation coefficient

Summary The probability integral (p.i.) values of the correlation coefficient in samples from a normal bi-variate population are usually computed by approximate methods, except for the first few values ofn. In this note we shall obtain the explicit expression for any sample size through a relation which also enables us to calculate easily and quickly the p.i. exact values as well as those of the density function (d.f.). From this p.i. expression it is also possible to obtain, among others, that of Student'st.     

Optimal choice of reward levels in an organization

An organization is a collection of members where each of them performs a task with a given cost and receives a reward. The net benefit to the organizer is given by the gross revenue less the sum of all compensations paid. The organizer will try to select that rewards schema which maximizes his expected benefit.The paper analyzes the organizer's optimal rewards selection in a Markovian decision process framework, as an expected cost (of rewards) minimization problemI owe many debts to Jacob Marschak who has inspired and encouraged my work during my stay at the Western Management Science Institute. Acknowledgements with thanks are due to the Italian C.N.R. and the Western Management Science Institute for research support.     

Reinterpreting a Temporally Aggregated Consumption CAP Model

Recent literature has found that the coefficient of relative risk aversion estimated through consumption-based asset-pricing models is implausibly high, even when the phenomenon of temporal aggregation is taken into account. This article suggests that an IMA (1,1) process be assumed as the generating mechanism of consumption, instead of the standard random-walk process. In this case, if the coefficient of the moving average component is negative, the implied value of the coefficient of relative risk aversion can be reduced to plausible levels. Some empirical and theoretical support for the IMA (1,1) hypothesis is also presented and discussed.     

Bayesian Variable Selection in Markov Mixture Models

Monte Carlo simulation is used to evaluate the actual confidence levels of five different approximations for confidence intervals for the probability of success in Markov dependent trials. The approximations involve the conditional probability of success as a nuisance parameter, and the effects of substituting Klotz's (1973), Price's (1976), and a new estimator are also evaluated. The new estimator is less biased and tends to increase the confidence level. A program for calculating the estimator and the confidence interval approximations is available.     

The impact of related party transactions on earnings management: some insights from the Italian context

Related party transactions have become a key issue as a result of recent financial scandals. This study examines whether firms use related party transactions for earnings management, and then, whether they try to minimize detection through the format of related party transactions disclosure. Firstly, we analyze the association between related party transactions structure (types and parties involved) and the probability of reporting small earnings increase. Related party transactions may have significant impact on, and implications for, earnings management. According to the agency theory, related party transactions are used opportunistically, while the efficient transaction hypothesis argues that related party transactions meet the economic needs of the business. We next investigate the association between the probability of reporting small earnings increases through related party transactions and disclosure quality. Disclosure quality should be studied in relation to impression management and investor attention; this approach takes account of the idea that earnings management behavior may influence the quality of disclosure as a possible way of lowering conflict of interest. In line with the agency theory, our findings show that revenue related party transactions are more likely to be used to manage earnings than other types of transaction; related party transactions with ultimate parents are associated with lower probability of reporting small earnings increases compared to operations with other related parties. Lastly, our results confirm that the decision to engage in earnings management is related to lower disclosure quality.     

Modeling random and non-random decision uncertainty in ratings data: a fuzzy beta model

AStA Advances in Statistical Analysis - Modeling human ratings data subject to raters’ decision uncertainty is an attractive problem in applied statistics. In view of the complex interplay...