Analysis of structural equation models with Incomplete Polytomous Data

A two-stage estimation procedure is developed to analyze structural equation models of polytomous variables based on incomplete data. At the first stage, the partition maximum likelihood approach is used to obtain the estimates of the elements in the correlation matrix. It will be shown that the asymptotic distribution of these estimates is jointly multivariate normal. The second stage estimates the structural parameters in the correlation matrix by the generalized least squared approach with a correctly specified weight matrix. Asymptotic properties of the second stage estimates are also provided. Extension of the theory to multisample models, and some illustrative examples are also included.     

Multivariate portmanteau test for structural VARMA models with uncorrelated but non-independent error terms

We consider portmanteau tests for testing the adequacy of structural vector autoregressive moving-average (VARMA) models under the assumption that the errors are uncorrelated but not necessarily independent. The structural forms are mainly used in econometrics to introduce instantaneous relationships between economic variables. We first study the joint distribution of the quasi-maximum likelihood estimator (QMLE) and the noise empirical autocovariances. We then derive the asymptotic distribution of residual empirical autocovariances and autocorrelations under weak assumptions on the noise. We deduce the asymptotic distribution of the Ljung-Box (or Box-Pierce) portmanteau statistics in this framework. It is shown that the asymptotic distribution of the portmanteau tests is that of a weighted sum of independent chi-squared random variables, which can be quite different from the usual chi-squared approximation used under independent and identically distributed (iid) assumptions on the noise. Hence we propose a method to adjust the critical values of the portmanteau tests. Monte Carlo experiments illustrate the finite sample performance of the modified portmanteau test.     

The construction and analysis of a consistent set of input–output tables for the Irish economy

Summary.  We analyse input–output tables to see what structural changes have occurred in the Irish economy over time. First we produce a consistent set of input–output tables by aligning classifications and deriving a sequence of supply tables. The resulting tables are then smoothed to make the underlying distributions symmetric. We then compare the smoothed tables by using biproportional adjustment. We identify and analyse structural change that has taken place in the Irish economy since 1975.     

人力资本积累是改善民生的根本途径

“民惟邦本，本固邦宁。”这是《尚书》儒家治国理政思想的经典描述。民生问题连着国运，国运昌盛的重要指标是看老百姓的生活质量，为此，从以下角度阐述了几个问题：民生问题实质上是国民素质问题；提高素质、改善民生的根本途径是积累人力资本；改善民生必须先改进“民质”，积累人力资本必须优先发展教育。指出民生问题不仅仅是社会问题、经济问题，更是攸关国家兴衰的政治问题，必须加以重视。     

An algorithm and metric for network decomposition from similarity matrices: Application to positional analysis

We present an algorithm for decomposing a social network into an optimal number of structurally equivalent classes. The k-means method is used to determine the best decomposition of the social network for various numbers of subgroups. The best number of subgroups into which to decompose a network is determined by minimizing the intra-cluster variance of similarity subject to the constraint that the improvement in going to more subgroups is better than a random network would achieve. We also describe a decomposability metric that assesses how closely the derived decomposition approaches an ideal network having only structurally equivalent classes.     

Trends and Cycles in Macroeconomic Time Series

Two structural time series models for annual observations are constructed in terms of trend, cycle, and irregular components. The models are then estimated via the Kalman filter using data on five U.S. macroeconomic time series. The results provide some interesting insights into the dynamic structure of the series, particularly with respect to cyclical behavior. At the same time, they illustrate the development of a model selection strategy for structural time series models.     

Predictors and outcomes of social network compositions: A compositional structural equation modeling approach

Proportions of a total, including social network compositions (proportions of partner, family, friends, etc.) lie in a restricted space, which challenges statistical analysis. Network compositions can be both dependent and explanatory variables and are usually measured with error by survey instruments. Structural equation models make it possible to correct measurement error bias. Coenders et al. (2011) fitted a factor analysis model to transformed network compositions. In this article, we use another transformation called an isometric log-ratio and we extend the model to include predictors and outcomes. The findings and hypotheses in the literature can be reformulated with isometric log-ratios in a more interpretable manner. For instance, we find relationships of gender with partner support, of education and extraversion with friend support, and of family support with tie multiplexity and closeness.     

山西农业劳动率对比分析

农业劳动率问题历来受到关注,山西的问题更加突出,通过对山西农业的劳动率情况内部纵向对比和外部横向对比分析,进而了解山西农业劳动力存在的问题以及具有多大的提升潜力,并在此基础上进一步探究限制劳动力发展的因素并提出相应的建议。     

中国-亚欧博览会观众满意度影响因素实证研究

随着会展业的快速发展,博览会得到关注的程度越来越高,而观众的满意度对博览会举办是否成功具有重要的影响。文章以首届中国-亚欧博览会为例,从城市背景、生活和消费水平、展会硬件设施、展会质量和展会服务这五个方面来研究博览会观众满意度影响因素。在SPSS18．0数据分析的基础上,通过AMOS17．0构建结构方程模型,在信度及效度检验的基础上,通过结构方程模型路径分析进一步探索博览会观众满意度的影响因素。结果表明,城市背景、生活和消费水平、展会硬件设施、展会质量和展会服务与博览会顾客满意度成正相关关系。     

Employee Misuse of Information Technology Resources: Testing a Contemporary Deterrence Model

Recent research in information systems and operations management has considered the positive impacts of information technology (IT). However, an undesirable side effect of firms’ increasing reliance on IT to support the distribution and delivery of goods and services to customers is a greater exposure to a diverse set of IT security risks. One such risk is intentional employee misuse of technology resources. In this article, we draw upon modern deterrence frameworks to develop a predictive model of technology misuse intention that incorporates formal and informal sanctions as well as employment context factors. The model specifies previously untested relationships between formal and informal sanctions, thereby providing fresh insight into the role of sanctions in deterring technology misuse in organizations. Our results suggest that a predisposition toward the need for social approval and moral beliefs regarding the behavior are key determinants of technology misuse. Contrary to criminological research that has questioned the relative importance of formal sanctions in the deterrence process, we also found that the threat of formal sanctions has both direct and indirect influences on technology misuse intention. Further, from an employment context standpoint, employees who spend more working days away from the office (i.e., “virtual” mode) appear more inclined to misuse their organization's technology resources. The findings have implications for the research and practice of technology management.