The problem of omitted variables is commonly viewed as a statistical misspecification issue which renders the inference concerning the influence of X t on yt unreliable, due to the exclusion of certain relevant factors W t . That is, omitting certain potentially important factors W t may...

The classical approach for specifying statistical models with binary dependent variables in econometrics using latent variables or threshold models can leave the model misspecified, resulting in biased and inconsistent estimates as well as erroneous inferences. Furthermore, methods for trying to...

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the relationship between fertility rates and the economy in Venezuela. In particular, it looks at the extreme fluctuations in oil revenues, Venezuelaâs main source of income, in the 1970s and their impact on fertility. It uses the 1998 National...

These papers analyze two issues in resource economics that are currently debated in academic and policy arenas: global warming and overcompliant behavior amongst regulated sources of water pollution.The first paper examines the evidence for global warming in particular, the published estimates...

The Internet has a loosely hierarchical structure. At the top of the hierarchy are the backbones, also called Internet Access Providers (hereafter IAPs). The second layer of the hierarchy is comprised of Internet Service Providers (hereafter ISPs). At the bottom of the hierarchy are the end...

We introduce a spatial cost topology in thenetwork formation model analyzed by Jackson andWolinsky, Journal of Economic Theory 71 (1996), 44--74. This cost topology mightrepresent geographical, social, or individualdifferences. It describes variable costs ofestablishing social network...

Over the last twenty years or so the Dynamic Volatility literature has produced a wealth of univariateand multivariate GARCH type models. While the univariate models have been relativelysuccessful in empirical studies, they suffer from a number ofweaknesses, such as unverifiable...