In this paper we introduce a unit root test for dynamic panel data models, allowing for cross-sectional heteroscedasticity and serial correlation in the disturbance term. The limiting distribution of the test statistic is derived under the assumption that the time dimension of the panel is...

Rather than a complete survey, this paper aims at being a tool to help apply game theoretic bergaining models to wage negotiations. In this perspective we review a number of articles which explicitly deal with wage determination as well as purely game theoretical models which we believe can be...

This papaer evaluates analysts' consensus long run earnings growth forecasts. It is shown that the correlation between forecast earnings growth and actual earnings growth is extremely low. Consistent with other studies, forecast earnings growth is found to be too optimistic. This is illustrated...

Hypergeometric functions are a generalization of exponential functions. They are explicit, computable functions that can also be manipulated analytically. The functions and series we use in quantitative economics are all special cases of them. In this paper, a unified approach to hypergeometic...

Standard unit root and stationarity tests (see e.g. Dickey and Fuller (1979)) assume linearity under both the null and the alternative hypothesis. Violation of this linearity assumption can result in severe size and power distortion, both in finite and large samples. Thus, it is reasonable to...

In a context where both the poor and the rich are (imperfectly) mobile, this paper compares the Nash equilibrium levels of income redistribution from the rich to the poor when jurisdictions compete either in taxes, in transfers or both. Although taxes and transfers are linked through the...

Taylor rules which link short-term interest rates to fluctuations in inflation and output, have been shown to be a good guide (both positively and normatively) to the conduct of monetary policy. As a result they have been used extensively to model policy in the context of both closed and open...

Despite being theoretically appealing, the standard q-theory of investment performs very poorly in empirical work. This paper extends the q-theory to include the possibility that costs associated with the risk of insolvency affect the firm's investment decisions. Using aggregate data for the UK...

This paper shows that costly state verification creates a bias against risky activities in the policy relevant sense that everyone may gain if entry to them is subsidised. The result holds even in the presence of private insurance. In fact, it may be preferable to ban private insurance and rely...

We develop a theory of worker discretion over task choice within a firm. Increasing the workers’ discretion has a trade-off between the gains from workers using private information about their abilities, and the costs from adverse selection within the firm due to workers herding into...