Ordinary least squares (OLS) is well-known to produce an inconsistent estimator of the spatial parameter in pure spatial autoregression (SAR). This paper explores the potential of indirect inference to correct the inconsistency of OLS. Under broad conditions, it is shown that indirect inference...

For testing lack of correlation against spatial autoregressive alternatives, Lagrange multiplier tests enjoy their usual computational advantages, but the (X2) first-order asymptotic approximation to critical values can be poor in small samples. We develop refined tests for lack of spatial error...