Minimum distance estimation of the spatial panel autoregressive model

This paper contributes to the interface literature of new methodological foundation of analyzing historical data with space and spatio-temporal phenomena. In particular, I consider estimating the spatial panel autoregressive model using the minimum distance estimator. Spatial autoregression has important implications for economic system that typifies correlatedness across many spatial locations and which could evolve over long span of time. To overcome computational difficulties, I suggest a two-stage estimation procedure based on minimum distance estimators. A striking feature of the proposed model is that minimum distance estimates are derived under common slopes and complete equality of parameters across spatial units. Assumption of common slopes across spatial units is an empirical and theoretical plausibility as many spatial units are observed to share common trend and typology of changes occurring to the individual system under which equality of parameters are possibilities. The estimation strategy allows various restrictions on time-varying vector parameters. Moreover, those restrictions can easily be tested. I apply this procedure to the residential demand for water of 115 French municipalities over the biannual period 1988–1993. The primary contribution of the paper is to the methodological side of cliometrics while the empirical application (with shorter time period) has been presented for illustrative purpose although, it can nonetheless be readily applied to historical data with long-time horizon allowing for restrictions such as spatio-temporal common vector and structural break in parameter estimates.

Does distance matter for internationally-oriented small firms?

This paper assesses the contemporary relevance of distance and its key components in international business for young, internationally-oriented small firms. In doing so, it reconceptualizes the distance concept and investigates its relevance in American, British, and German firms' early foreign market selection. Economic, geographic, and cultural distance (based on Hofstede's and Schwartz's frameworks) for the three countries, along with psychic distance for the German firms, are considered. The results show that some components of distance still matter for internationally-oriented small firms and that cultural distance is sample source and concept sensitive. In addition, psychic distance acts as a mediator construct to the more objective, external distance measures of economic, geographic, and cultural distance, confirming the proposed distance framework.     

Geographic distance and corporate acquisitions: signals from IPO firms

This paper examines acquisitions of firms after they have undergone initial public offerings (IPOs). Combining insights from information economics with recent research on geographic distance in various market settings, the analysis investigates whether the presence or absence of different signals on IPO firms has an impact on the geographic proximity of acquirers. The central proposition we develop and test is that specific characteristics of IPOs—venture capitalist backing, investment bank reputation, and underpricing of issued shares—convey signals on these firms, which can facilitate acquisitions by more remote acquirers who are more likely to face the risk of adverse selection. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

大学英语远程教育学习质量的保证与监控

保证与监控大学英语远程教育学习质量,教师应从以下几个方面着手:基于教学管理平台和现代教育技术,监测学生的学习时段、学习频率、学习路径和每一学习时段的质量,量化管理学生的学习过程,加强课件内容的可控性。     

地面动态环境下驾驶员空间距离判识对车险定价的研究

驾驶人的因素对机动车辆保险定价的影响具有显著性,因为人的因素在车辆运行安全中具有很重要的作用,其中空间距离判识人的因素没有考虑到,由于驾驶员的风险主观性很强,往往被保险公司在进行车险定价时难以鉴定。将驾驶员空间距离判识引入到车险定价的费率因子体系中,利用AHP层次分析法,建立驾驶员空间距离判识评分体系,可以给出驾驶员空间距离判识的费率调整系数。     

张家界国家森林公园客源市场的空间特征与潜力研究

旅游客源市场的空间特征是旅游地理学研究的重要内容。从数量上度量旅游需求随客源地的空间分布变化,能指导旅游目的地的旅游规划和经营决策。以张家界国家森林公园为例,运用GIS对其国内客源市场进行了空间分析,利用距离累计曲线分析影响其客源分布的因素;最后在引力模型的基础上建立旅游客流空间潜力模型。研究结果表明,张家界国家森林公园的客源市场分布与我国目前经济发展中珠三角、长三角、环渤海三足鼎立的格局保持一致;在此基础上,提出应在保护资源的前提下实现市场优化以达到可持续发展的对策。     

试析余华小说的叙述话语

先锋派所创造的叙述话语冲击和改变着传统的叙述话语表达方式 ,给文坛吹进了一股清新的风。余华是先锋派重要的代表作家之一 ,本文试就叙事重复的应用、叙述距离的把握、叙述角度的选择三方面分析其叙述话语的独特之处。     

A capital adequacy buffer model

We develop a new capital adequacy buffer model (CABM) that is sensitive to dynamic economic circumstances. The model, which measures additional bank capital required to compensate for fluctuating credit risk, is a novel combination of the Merton structural model, which measures distance to default and the timeless capital asset pricing model (CAPM), which measures additional returns to compensate for additional share price risk. We apply the model to a portfolio of mid-cap loan assets over a 10-year period that includes pre-GFC (global financial crisis), GFC and post-GFC. An analysis of actual defaults over this period shows the model to be far more accurate in determining the capital adequacy levels needed to counter credit risk than an unresponsive ratings model such as the Basel standardized approach.     

Technical and scale efficiencies of meat goat farms in the USA

This study determines i) scale and technical efficiencies, ii) marginal productive contributions for inputs and outputs and iii) efficiency drivers of meat goat farms in the USA. We estimate an input distance function (IDF) using a stochastic production frontier (SPF) technique. The average technical efficiency (TE) for the USA meat goat whole farm was 0.74. The operator education level, percentage of annual net farm income from the goat operation, regional differences and holding of an off farm job are the efficiency drivers of USA meat goat farms. We find increasing returns to scale (RTS) for USA meat goat farms. Our results suggest that USA meat goat farms can be scale efficient if their optimal size of operation is greater than approximately 64 goats or greater than 40 breeding does. Empirical Monte Carlo (MC) simulation techniques show the consistency of finite-sample properties for the input distance function.     

Directional duality theory Directional duality theory

In this paper we introduce a complete duality theory based on directional distance functions. This duality theory parallels the duality theory based on radial distance functions in Färe and Primont (1995).