This dissertation consists of three essays on modeling and parameter estimation for covariance non-stationary processes. The first essay considers the non-linear deformation of time scale for G(lambda)-stationary processes developed by Jiang, Gray and Woodward [2006]. After the appropriate...

Generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models are widely used in financial markets. Parameters of GARCH models are usually estimated by the quasi-maximum likelihood estimator (QMLE). In recent years, economic theory often implies equilibrium between the levels of time...

This paper suggests and implements a method for dealing with the problems which are encountered during the estimation of dynamic, discrete choice models with serially correlated unobservables. The method takes advantage of Gaussian quadrature integral approximation techniques and is based on a...

The financial crisis of 2007-2008 led to extraordinary government intervention in firms and markets. The scope and depth of government action rivaled that of the Great Depression. Many traded markets experienced dramatic declines in liquidity leading to the existence of conditions normally...

Valuing American options is a central problem in option pricing since the early-exercise feature is very common among financial or insurance derivatives products. For high-dimensional American options, Monte Carlo simulation is generally regarded as the only viable approach to price them, and...

This thesis analyzes certain aspects of the current account balance and its relationship to economic growth. Employing recently developed statistical and econometric techniques for estimation of non linear models, crises phenomena connected to the balance of payments are focused. The analysis of...

Neoclassical analysis of the labor market and its institutions. A systematic development of the theory of labor supply, labor demand, and human capital. Topics discussed also include wage and employment determination, turnover, search, immigration, unemployment, equalizing differences, and...

This paper studies the characteristics of firm level equity volatility. There is a lack of consensus in the finance literature as to the relative statistical and economic significance of the leverage and feedback effects on equity volatility. We provide a dynamic framework to investigate...

We analyze the effect of ownership on post-privatization performance in a virtually complete population of medium and large firms privatized in a model large-scale privatization economy (Czech Republic). We find that concentrated foreign ownership improves economic performance, but domestic...

In this paper, we examine the determinants of inflation differentials in a panel of the newEuropean Union member states vis-‡-vis the euro area in 1997-2007. Our main results are as follows. Exchange rate appreciation and higher price level in the new EU members is associated with narrower...