This paper considers ML estimation of a diffusion process observed discretely. Since the exact loglikelihood is generally not available, it must be approximated. We review the most effcient approaches in the literature, and point to some drawbacks. We propose to approximate the loglikelihood...

Le inchieste nazionali sulla situazione del mercato del lavoro forniscono di solito osservazioni in tempo discreto. Gli individui vengono intervistati in corrispondenza di date distinte, per ognuna delle quali si conosce la loro posizione sul mercato (occupati, disoccupati), ma nulla è noto di...

We analyze the effects of two compound investment options, a shut down and a reopening option, on a Aoki's profit sharing firm organization. Whilst the introduction of a credible threat of shutting down weakens labour's position in the bargaining and favors the shareholders on profit sharing,...

In this paper I consider the estimation of multi-factor exponential affine models of the term structure of interest rates. I start with a survey of the empirical work on the term structure in continuous time, showing that in most cases the implementation of the models has not fully exploited the...

In this paper we investigate the way consumption changes around retirement in Italy. Using micro data covering the 1985-96 period, we find that consumption age patterns are similar to those found in the US and other developed countries, despite the much more wide-spread cohabitation of different...

We study the relationship between (log) current earnings and educational levels in Italy. In line with other international evidence, we find that OLS under-estimate the marginal return to additional education. When the endogeneity of educational choice is taken into account, the marginal return...

This article aims at analyzing the link between subsidiaries' capital structure and taxation in Europe. First we introduce a trade-off model, which studies a MNCs' financial strategy and shows how debt policy allows multinational groups to shift profits from low-tax to high-tax jurisdictions. By...

The mothballing option has been studied in the literature, but mainly in decision theoretic frameworks. This paper looks at it from a strategic point of view and applies it to an incumbent-entrant framework. In particular, based on the recent strategic interactions between OPEC and the shale oil...

Tax competition has long been studied using panel models. According to this approach, each country’s tax rate is assumed to depend on a weighted average of the tax rates applied in the rest of the world, where weights are exogenous. As a consequence, the estimated reaction functions of...

Competition in public utility sectors has been encouraged in recent years throughout Europe. In this paper we try and analyse the welfare effects of these reforms in Italy, with particular attention to water and energy goods. The first step is to introduce a sensible measure of affordability of...