We present a new genuine jackknife estimator for instrumental variable inference with unknown heteroskedasticity. It weighs observations such that many- instruments consistency is guaranteed while the signal component in the data is maintained. We show that this results in a smaller signal...

In this paper we extend the results of Kitamura (1997) for BEL to the more general class of GEL estimators. The resulting BGEL estimator is proved to be consistent and asymptotically normal and attains the semiparametric lower bound. In addition, we define the BGEL version of the classical...

In the last two decades Merger & Acquisition (M&A) activities worldwide rose to an unprecedented level mainly due to two factors - globalization and technological progress. M&A transactions, whatever is their motivation, generate potential knowledge flows between bidder and target firms that...

Purpose – We analyse the effect of unemployment and labour institutions such as employment protection legislation, coverage of unemployment benefits, minimum wages, union power and tax wedge on migration flows. We allow for interactions of these institutions with migration entry laws, as both...

We describe the competitive environment of microcredit markets globally and we study the effects of competition on loan rates of microfinance institutions (MFIs). We use a new database from rating agencies, covering 379 for-profit and nonprofit MFIs in 67 countries over 2002-2008. First, we find...

This article develops a dynamic optimising macro model of a open economy specialised in tourism based on natural resources. Environmental externalities are explicitly introduced in the production function. Global dynamic analysis shows that, under some conditions on the parameters, if the...

In this paper we test for the hold-up problem by considering the effect of unions’ bargaining power on the rate of growth of investment per worker and labour productivity across sectors characterised by different levels of sunk capital investments. We develop a search and matching model with...

In this study, we develop an evolutionary game model to analyse how human relations evolve in a context characterised by declining face-to-face interactions and growing online social participation. Our results suggest that online networks may constitute a coping response allowing individuals to...

We analyze the debt origination process in which a lender offers prospective borrowers a microcredit product alongside a traditional bank loan, and the impact anti-usury mandates can cause within this credit market. This is a paper about the prospects of financial liberalization following a more...

What factors drive the length of a kidnapping experience? A theoretical model is developed to conduct comparative statics. A unique data set covering all kidnappings for ransom in Sardinia between 1960 and 2010 is analyzed. Factors related to the ability to pay and cost of abduction matter. The...