We know very little about the performance of point optimal (PO) and approximate point optimal (APO) tests in the presence of unavoidable nuisance parameters. Because marginal likelihood based tests are said to perform well in the presence of unavoidable nuisance parameters, this paper compares...

A Wald type test of the joint null hypothesis of linearity and nonstationarity within a threshold autoregressive process of order one with deterministic components is developed. Its limiting distribution is derived and its local power and finite sample properties investigated.

A novel procedure to test for linearity and unit root in a nonlinear framework is proposed by introducing a new model–the MT-STAR model–which has similar properties of the ESTAR model but reduces the effects of the identification problem and can also account for asymmetry in the adjustment...

In this paper we provide a simple, credible method for assessing the effects of climate change on the quality of agricultural land and then apply this method using a rich set of data on the vineyards of the Mosel Valley in Germany. The basic idea is to use a simple model of solar radiation to...

This paper empirically assesses the wage effects of the Job Corps program, one of the largest federally-funded job training programs in the United States. Even with the aid of a randomized experiment, the impact of a training program on wages is difficult to study because of sample selection, a...

This paper discusses inference for rational expectations models estimated via minimum distance methods by characterizing the probability beliefs regarding the data generating process (DGP) that are compatible with given moment conditions. The null hypothesis is taken to be rational expectations...

The diffusion of Temporary Work Agency (TWA) jobs originated a harsh policy debate and ambiguous empirical evidence. Results for the US, based on quasi-experimental evidence, suggest that a TWA assignment decreases the probability of finding a stable job, while results for Europe, based on the...

In this paper we propose a new way to formulate optimal policy based on a quadratic intertemporal welfare function where the dynamic constraint is based on a VAR model of the economy which we call the PVAR method. We argue that the VAR under control should not be derived simply by replacing the...

This paper offers a new insight into real exchange rate behaviour in Latin America. Using quarterly data over the sample period 1973Q2-2005Q4, the analysis indicates that the real exchange rates of Argentina, Brazil and Venezuala can be described as non-linear trend stationary processes. This...