Predictive regressions under asymmetric loss: Factor augmentation and model selection

This paper discusses the specifics of forecasting using factor-augmented predictive regressions under general loss functions. In line with the literature, we employ principal component analysis to extract factors from the set of predictors. In addition, we also extract information on the volatility of the series to be predicted, since the volatility is forecast-relevant under non-quadratic loss functions. We ensure asymptotic unbiasedness of the forecasts under the relevant loss by estimating the predictive regression through the minimization of the in-sample average loss. Finally, we select the most promising predictors for the series to be forecast by employing an information criterion that is tailored to the relevant loss. Using a large monthly data set for the US economy, we assess the proposed adjustments in a pseudo out-of-sample forecasting exercise for various variables. As expected, the use of estimation under the relevant loss is found to be effective. Using an additional volatility proxy as the predictor and conducting model selection that is tailored to the relevant loss function enhances the forecast performance significantly.     

Computing the Gerber–Shiu function by frame duality projection

Inspired by some works of Kirkby, J. L. [2015. Efficient option pricing by frame duality with the fast Fourier transform. SIAM Journal on Financial Mathematics 6(1), 713–747; 2016. An efficient transform method for Asian option pricing. SIAM Journal on Financial Mathematics 7(1), 845–892], we present a systematic study on effectively computing the Gerber–Shiu function in the Lévy risk model, where the frame duality projection is used for approximation. By introducing an auxiliary function, we provide a smooth extension of the Gerber–Shiu function, which has closed-form Fourier transform and is differentiable over the whole real line under some conditions. The objective function is approximated by its frame duality projection onto a Riesz basis, and the projection coefficients are readily computed by the fast Fourier transform algorithm. Error analysis is made and the effectiveness of our results will be further illustrated in the numerical experiments.     

A Historical Review of Postponement Research

This historical review traces the development of postponement research starting in the fifties. The focus is on seven related themes: connecting form and time postponement, conceptual extensions to postponement, decoupling points, design for postponement, customization and mass customization, factors favoring postponement implementation, and postponement in global settings. Within these themes, the review includes concepts such as postponement costs, decoupling points, part commonality, and the impact of demand correlations on the benefits of postponement. The review suggests that substantial progress has been made in postponement research.     

The impact of climate change on labour demand in the plantation sector: the case of tea production in Sri Lanka

Limited opportunities for crop switching and lengthy preharvesting periods make the plantation sector particularly vulnerable to climate change. Surprisingly, however, the economic consequences of climate change on plantation crops are seldom analysed. Drawing on a unique primary panel data set from a representative cross section of 35 tea estates in Sri Lanka over the period 2002–2014, this study implements a structural model of estate profit maximisation to estimate the elasticity of labour demand with respect to different components of weather. Results indicate a negative relationship between labour demand and rainfall in the south‐west monsoon, the north‐east monsoon and the second inter‐monsoon. A positive relationship is found between labour demand and rainfall in the first inter‐monsoon. Overall, predicted changes in rainfall by 2050 are anticipated to reduce labour demand by approximately 1,175,000 person‐days per year across Sri Lanka's tea plantation sector. This is likely to have considerable social and welfare implications, particularly for the Indian Tamil women who comprise the majority of the sector's workforce.     

Sustainability of the fiscal imbalance and public debt under fiscal policy asymmetries in Sri Lanka

This paper investigates the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s fiscal imbalance and public debt. To test for sustainability of the fiscal imbalance, the study applies a symmetric ARDL (autoregressive distributive lag) technique to estimate a government intertemporal budget constraint. And to test for sustainability of public debt, it applies an asymmetric ARDL technique to estimate a fiscal reaction function, which allows for differential responses in the primary budget balance depending on whether shocks to regressors are positive or negative. Annual data for the period 1961–2018 are used in the estimations. The results indicate that Sri Lanka’s fiscal management is inconsistent with strong form sustainability, which requires that expenditures not grow faster than revenues. However, estimation of the fiscal reaction function finds robust evidence for fiscal policy asymmetries. Evidence emerges that Sri Lanka’s fiscal policy stance is procyclical with strong stabilization tendencies in economic expansions that are not sustained in contractions. Against upsurges in the debt-to-GDP ratio, authorities are found to pursue fiscal consolidation, thus suggesting weak form sustainability.     

The dynamic role of small- and medium-sized multinationals in global production networks: Norwegian maritime firms in the Greater Shanghai Region in China

This article examines the role of small- and medium-sized multinational enterprises (MNEs) in the dynamic development of global production networks (GPNs) in the maritime industry. It studies the dynamism between subsidiaries of Norwegian maritime firms and regional actors and institutions in the Greater Shanghai Region of China from the perspectives of the subsidiaries. It argues that strategic coupling, recoupling and decoupling are partly the results of regional selection mechanisms. However, in the cases where the subsidiaries are embedded within the host region, the strategies and behaviour of MNEs are of decisive importance for the dynamic development of GPNs.     

一种级联两箱通用数字预失真器及其辨识算法

提出了一种由单形规范线性分段(SCPWL)函数与记忆多项式级联的数字预失真器，并给出了复数域两步最小二乘参数辨识算法。不同于以往一种预失真器适用一种功放模型的情况，所提的预失真算法利用SCPWL函数的分段特性以及记忆多项式的非线性记忆特性，在完成参数辨识的同时自动地调整结构，可适用于传统以及强非线性新型功放模型的线性化补偿。将所提预失真器分别应用于传统记忆多项式、两箱模型以及新型包络跟踪功放。经过计算机仿真，功放输出的幅频特性和频谱曲线表明所提预失真器能够有效地补偿多种功放的非线性特性。算法仿真比较结果也表明，针对包络跟踪功放，所提复数两步最小二乘算法的邻道泄漏比(ACLR)可改善约35 dB，性能优于最小均方(LMS)类算法约30 dB。     

Ruin probabilities in classical risk models with gamma claims

In this paper, we provide three equivalent expressions for ruin probabilities in a Cramér–Lundberg model with gamma distributed claims. The results are solutions of integro-differential equations, derived by means of (inverse) Laplace transforms. All the three formulas have infinite series forms, two involving Mittag–Leffler functions and the third one involving moments of the claims distribution. This last result applies to any other claim size distributions that exhibits finite moments.     

基于主体功能定位的湖北省县域乡村性空间分异研究

[目的]确立与主体功能区定位相协调的乡村发展类型与乡村政策,是促进城乡融合、乡村振兴的重要措施。[方法]以湖北省县域为空间单元,构建乡村性评价指标体系,并基于三次产业的产值结构,划分县域的乡村发展类型。[结果](1)2016年湖北省县域乡村性指数相对较高,乡村性呈现出东低西高的空间分布格局。乡村发展类型可划分为农业主导型、工业主导型、商旅服务型和均衡发展型,分别占县域总数的25.29%、16.1%、10.71%和48.28%。(2)重点开发区的乡村类型以工业主导型和商旅服务型为主,乡村类型主要是城镇化和工业化带动,市场、资本推动力和农民的自主选择突出;农产品主产区和重点生态功能区的乡村类型均以农业主导型和均衡发展型为主,不同的是农产品主产区的农业自然和生产条件优越、农耕文化根植,农业政策扶植,乡村类型是由农业现代化和产业化推动;重点生态功能区乡村类型受资源环境约束、经济基础及行政干预的推动。[结论]三大主体功能区下的乡村类型及驱动机制存在差异,并提出不同乡村振兴发展的政策建议。     

Extending the determinants of currency substitution in Nigeria: Any role for financial innovation?

Existing literature suggests that macroeconomic and institutional factors are the drivers of currency substitution. The persistent and significant incidence of currency substitution during the period of mixed performance of macroeconomic variables suggests the existence of a knowledge gap on the drivers of currency substitution during the era of rapid technological innovation. To contribute to this literature, we augmented the traditional money demand model of the determinants of currency substitution to introduce financial innovation. We use Nigerian data from 2005Q1 to 2019Q4 and Pesaran et al. (2001, https://doi.org/10.1002/jae.616 ) autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound test approach to cointegration to estimate the models. The results confirm the presence of short-run and long-run relationships between financial technology and currency substitution in Nigeria. In effect, the deployment of financial technology in developing payment system infrastructure creates additional incentives for economic agents to hold foreign currency deposit. Economic managers must, therefore, mainstream credible monetary and fiscal policies to moderate the effect of financial innovation on currency substitution.