Neoclassical economic theory rules out systematic errors in consumptionchoice. According to the basic view, individuals know what they choose. They areable to predict how much utility an activity or a good produces for them now and inthe future and they can maximize their utility. This implies...

A random variable dominates another random variable with respectto the covariance order if the covariance of any two monotone increasingfunctions of this variable is smaller. We characterize completely thecovariance order, give strong sufficient conditions for it, present a numberof examples in...

The self-employed are substantially more satisfied with their work than employed persons. We document this relationship for 23 countries and show that the higher job satisfaction can directly be attributed to the greater autonomy that self-employed persons enjoy....

One can be independent, or subject to decisions made by others. This paper empirically tests whether individuals attach an intrinsic value to the institutional difference between independence and hierarchy ...

We use a sample of 18 countries to study what variables have a significant impact on an individual’s decision to start a new business and classification and regression trees for an accurate interpretation of the data. Our results support existing literature suggesting the existence of strong...

This book is the third volume of the Handbook of Computational Statisticsand covers the field of Data Visualization. In line with the companion volumes,it contains a collection of chapters by experts in the field to present readerswith an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the state of the...

This paper outlines why program evaluation should follow well-respected scientific standards and why it should be performed by independent researchers.

We investigate the impact of exogenous income fluctuations on health using twenty years ofdata from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics using techniques from the literature on theestimation of dynamic panel data models....

Using unique representative data containing self-reported functional and clinically measuredhearing ability for the Danish population aged 50-64, we estimate the effect of hearing losson receipt of disability benefits accounting for potential endogeneity of functional hearing...

This paper investigates the impact of macroeconomic shocks on infant mortality in India andinvestigates likely mechanisms. A recent OECD-dominated literature shows that mortality atmost ages is pro-cyclical but similar analyses for poorer countries are scarce, and bothincome risk and mortality...