Thesis advisor: Arthur Lewbel / This dissertation consists of three independent essays in applied microeconomics and econometrics. Essay 1 investigates the issue why individuals with health insurance use more health care. One obvious reason is that health care is cheaper for the insured. But additionally, having insurance can encourage unhealthy behavior via moral hazard. The effect of health insurance on medical utilization has been extensively studied; however, previous work has mostly ignored the effect of insurance on behavior and how that in turn affects medical utilization. This essay examines these distinct effects. The increased medical utilization due to reduced prices may help the insured maintain good health, while that due to increased unhealthy behavior does not, so distinguishing these two effects has important policy implications. A two-period dynamic forward-looking model is constructed to derive the structural causal relationships among the decision to buy insurance, health behaviors (drinking, smoking, and exercise), and medical utilization. The model shows how exogenous changes in insurance prices and past behaviors can identify the direct and indirect effects of insurance on medical utilization. An empirical analysis also distinguishes between intensive and extensive margins (e.g., changes in the number of drinkers vs. the amount of alcohol consumed) of the insurance effect, which turns out to be empirically important. Health insurance is found to encourage less healthy behavior, particularly heavy drinking, but this does not yield a short term perceptible increase in doctor or hospital visits. The effects of health insurance are primarily found at the intensive margin, e.g., health insurance may not cause a non-drinker to take up drinking, while it encourages a heavy drinker to drink even more. These results suggest that to counteract behavioral moral hazard, health insurance should be coupled with incentives that target individuals who currently engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as heavy drinkers. Essay 2 examines the effect of repeating kindergarten on the retained children's academic performance. Although most existing research concludes that grade retention generates no benefits for retainees' later academic performance, holding low achieving children back has been a popular practice for decades. Drawing on a recently collected nationally representative data set in the US, this paper estimates the causal effect of kindergarten retention on the retained children's later academic performance. Since children are observed being held back only when they enroll in schools that permit retention, this paper jointly models 1) the decision of entering a school allowing for kindergarten retention, 2) the decision of undergoing a retention treatment in kindergarten, and 3) children's academic performance in higher grades. The retention treatment is modeled as a binary choice with sample selection. The outcome equations are linear regressions including the kindergarten retention dummy as an endogenous regressor with a correlated random coefficient. A control function estimator is developed for estimating the resulting double-hurdle treatment model, which allows for unobserved heterogeneity in the retention effect. As a comparison, a nonparametric bias-corrected nearest neighbor matching estimator is also implemented. Holding children back in kindergarten is found to have positive but diminishing effects on their academic performance up to the third grade. Essay 3 proves the semiparametric identification of a binary choice model having an endogenous regressor without relying on outside instruments. A simple estimator and a test for endogeneity are provided based on this identification. These results are applied to analyze working age male's migration within the US, where labor income is potentially endogenous. Identification relies on the fact that the migration probability among workers is close to linear in age while labor income is nonlinear in age(when both are nonparametrically estimated). Using data from the PSID, this study finds that labor income is endogenous and that ignoring this endogeneity leads to downward bias in the estimated effect of labor income on the migration probability. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Economics.

Thesis advisor: Arthur Lewbel / This thesis proposes two semiparametric estimators; one for heavily censored panel models and another one for binary-outcome sample selection models. The first chapter proposes a new panel data estimator, and applies it to investigate whether the key assumption underlying most twin studies is valid. Roughly, the assumption is that differences in twins' outcomes can on average be attributed to differences in observed treatments, possibly after conditioning on observable covariates. The empirical results here cast doubt on this assumption, by showing that a particular outcome, survival, varies by birth order, even after conditioning on health-at-birth characteristics. The proposed panel data estimator is the first one in the literature that simultaneously handles having an unknown error distribution, fixed effects, fixed T, fixed censoring point, and heavy (greater than 50%) censoring. These features are all required to adequately deal with the limitations of available census data on twins. The proposed estimator also allows for coefficients that vary by t, and for a censoring point that is an unknown but deterministic function of regressors. The second chapter proposes a new semiparametric estimator for binary-outcome selection models that does not impose any distributional assumption, nor specify the selection equation. The estimator, however, requires a special regressor satisfying a support restriction in the outcome equation and a variable satisfying the exclusion/inclusion restriction; the former should be continuous whereas the latter can be discrete. The estimators of Klein et al. (2011) and Escanciano et al. (2012) require optimization, but our estimator for the outcome equation has a closed-form expression with no need for any optimization (but the selection equation estimation may still need an optimization). We apply MLE and the proposed estimator to US presidential election data in 2008 and 2012 where Barack Obama won to see to what extent racism mattered; we use a prejudice variable as a measure of racism. Putting our empirical findings in advance, there is evidence that the white Democrats voted less for Obama due to prejudice, whereas the white Republicans acted in a more muted fashion (i.e., almost no change in voting due to racism) or voted more for Obama to escape the stigma of racism. We also found evidence of "own-race favor" by blacks. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Economics.

In this dissertation, I consider linear, binary response correlated random coefficient (CRC) panel data models and a truncated CRC panel data model which are frequently used in economic analysis. I focus on the nonparametric identification and estimation of panel data models under unobserved heterogeneity which is captured by random coefficients and when these random coefficients are correlated with regressors. For the analysis of linear CRC models, I give the identification conditions for the average slopes of a linear CRC model with a general nonparametric correlation between regressors and random coefficients. I construct a sqrt(n) consistent estimator for the average slopes via varying coefficient regression. The identification of binary response panel data models with unobserved heterogeneity is difficult. I base identification conditions and estimation on the framework of the model with a special regressor, which is a major approach proposed by Lewbel (1998, 2000) to solve the heterogeneity and endogeneity problem in the binary response models. With the help of the additional information on the special regressor, I can transfer a binary response CRC model to a linear moment relation. I also construct a semiparametric estimator for the average slopes and derive the sqrt(n)-normality result. For the truncated CRC panel data model, I obtain the identification and estimation results based on the special regressor method which is used in Khan and Lewbel (2007). I construct a sqrt(n) consistent estimator for the population mean of the random coefficient. I also derive the asymptotic distribution of my estimator. Simulations are given to show the finite sample advantage of my estimators. Further, I use a linear CRC panel data model to reexamine the return from job training. The results show that my estimation method really makes a difference, and the estimated return of training by my method is 7 times as much as the one estimated without considering the correlation between the covariates and random coefficients. It shows that on average the rate of return of job training is 3.16% per 60 hours training.

El primer capítulo de la tesis sobre "Estudios Empíricos sobre Capital Humano e Instituciones" presenta estimaciones de retornos a la educación en Alemania y analiza los determinantes de las preferencias educativas. El segundo capítulo utiliza estimaciones de retornos a la experiencia en el país de origen de inmigrantes en Estados Unidos para proporcionar evidencia empírica que el comercio aumenta la acumulación de capital humano en el trabajo, incluso en los países menos desarrollados, resolviendo la ambigüedad teórica si el comercio aumenta o disminuye "learning-by-doing". La acumulación de capital humano en el trabajo es también positivamente asociada con el PIB per capita, un alto nivel de educación y una mayor calidad de políticas e instituciones. El último capítulo analiza el efecto de recursos naturales y asistencia externa sobre la calidad de instituciones, proporcionando evidencia empírica que -contrario a la asistencia externa, la abundancia de mineral y combustible tiende a ser asociada negativamente con la calidad de instituciones si la fragmentación étnica es grande. / The first chapter of the thesis on "Empirical Studies on Human Capital and Institutions" presents estimates of returns to education in Germany and analyses the determinants of educational choices. The second chapter uses estimated returns to home country experience of US immigrants to provide empirical evidence that trade increases on-the-job human capital accumulation even in less developed countries, thereby resolving the theoretical ambiguity whether trade increases or decreases learning-by-doing. Similar to trade, GDP per capita, a high average level of educational attainment and stronger quality of policy and institutions are found to be positively associated with on-the-job human capital accumulation. The last chapter analyses the effect of natural resources and aid on institutions, providing empirical evidence that contrary to aid, mineral and fuel abundance tends to be associated with significantly lower quality of institutions if ethnic fractionalization is large.

The purpose of this study is to estimate the relationship between income inequality and immigration in Sweden. To do so, data from the data base Kolada with observations from all 290 municipalities in Sweden is used. As a proxy for income distribution the Gini coefficient is used and as a proxy for immigration the share of foreign born of working age is used. The model also controls for income tax, education level and unemployment level. The dependent variable the Gini coefficient is bounded by a unit interval and it is therefore not possible to simply run a linear regression. Such a model could potentially predict outside the interval. To properly estimate the relationship two approaches are made. Firstly a model is estimated with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) after the dependent variable is transformed on to the real line through log-odds. Then a model is estimated using beta regression. The study concludes that there is a statistically significant positive correlation between income inequality and immigration in Sweden. The OLS estimated model shows that a 1 unit increase in immigration, on average increases the log-odds of 0.28336 units, ceteris paribus. Beta regression provides perhaps more intuitive results. If immigration increases with 1% the income inequality increases with on average 0.1046%, ceteris paribus. Because of the easier interpretation, among other things, beta regression is determined to be a better estimation method in this study.

A necessidade de se promover uma expansão sólida da base exportadora brasileira passa pela compreensão dos fatores que caracterizam a maior permanência das empresas no mercado externo. Este trabalho teve como principal objetivo identificar de que forma as características iniciais (observadas anteriormente à estréia na atividade exportadora) das empresas estreantes no mercado externo, e em especial a realização de inovação tecnológica, geram impacto sobre a probabilidade de permanência delas na atividade exportadora. Para isso, foram estimados, para duas amostras de empresas, três modelos logit com variáveis dependentes discretas, quais foram: modelo de escolha binária, modelo multinomial de escolha não ordenada e modelo multinomial de escolha ordenada. Os resultados demonstraram que a maior probabilidade de que as empresas permaneçam continuamente no mercado exportador está associada às condições iniciais de maior eficiência, determinada pela maior produtividade do trabalho e pela obtenção de ganhos de escala, e maior competitividade de custos, determinados pelo salário médio menor e pela margem de lucro reduzida. Essas evidências podem estar relacionadas com a hipótese da auto-seleção. No entanto, o fato de a empresa realizar inovações tecnológicas faz com que a dependência dessas condições iniciais para determinar a maior probabilidade de permanência no mercado externo seja menor. Essa constatação sugere a existência de algum efeito aprendizado decorrente da participação na atividade exportadora. / The necessity of promoting a solid expansion of the Brazilian exporting base requires the understanding of the factors responsible for the larger permanence of the firms in the external market. This work had as main objective to identify how initial characteristics (observed previously to the debut in the exporting activity) of the firms embracing the external market, specially technological innovation, generate impacts on the probability of permanence of them in the exporting activity. For this objective, we estimated, for two samples of companies, three logit models with discrete dependent variables: a binary choice model, a multinomial model and a ordered model. The results demonstrated that a higher probability of remaining continuously in the exporting market is associated with the initial conditions of a higher efficiency, determined by the higher labor productivity and a higher production scale, and greater cost competitiveness, determined by the lower average wage and the reduced profit margin. These evidences may be related to the hypothesis of auto-selection. However, the fact that the firm undertakes technological innovations makes them less dependent of these initial conditions to determine a higher probability of permanence in the external market. This result suggests the existence of a learning effect following the participation in the exporting activity.

A necessidade de se promover uma expansão sólida da base exportadora brasileira passa pela compreensão dos fatores que caracterizam a maior permanência das empresas no mercado externo. Este trabalho teve como principal objetivo identificar de que forma as características iniciais (observadas anteriormente à estréia na atividade exportadora) das empresas estreantes no mercado externo, e em especial a realização de inovação tecnológica, geram impacto sobre a probabilidade de permanência delas na atividade exportadora. Para isso, foram estimados, para duas amostras de empresas, três modelos logit com variáveis dependentes discretas, quais foram: modelo de escolha binária, modelo multinomial de escolha não ordenada e modelo multinomial de escolha ordenada. Os resultados demonstraram que a maior probabilidade de que as empresas permaneçam continuamente no mercado exportador está associada às condições iniciais de maior eficiência, determinada pela maior produtividade do trabalho e pela obtenção de ganhos de escala, e maior competitividade de custos, determinados pelo salário médio menor e pela margem de lucro reduzida. Essas evidências podem estar relacionadas com a hipótese da auto-seleção. No entanto, o fato de a empresa realizar inovações tecnológicas faz com que a dependência dessas condições iniciais para determinar a maior probabilidade de permanência no mercado externo seja menor. Essa constatação sugere a existência de algum efeito aprendizado decorrente da participação na atividade exportadora. / The necessity of promoting a solid expansion of the Brazilian exporting base requires the understanding of the factors responsible for the larger permanence of the firms in the external market. This work had as main objective to identify how initial characteristics (observed previously to the debut in the exporting activity) of the firms embracing the external market, specially technological innovation, generate impacts on the probability of permanence of them in the exporting activity. For this objective, we estimated, for two samples of companies, three logit models with discrete dependent variables: a binary choice model, a multinomial model and a ordered model. The results demonstrated that a higher probability of remaining continuously in the exporting market is associated with the initial conditions of a higher efficiency, determined by the higher labor productivity and a higher production scale, and greater cost competitiveness, determined by the lower average wage and the reduced profit margin. These evidences may be related to the hypothesis of auto-selection. However, the fact that the firm undertakes technological innovations makes them less dependent of these initial conditions to determine a higher probability of permanence in the external market. This result suggests the existence of a learning effect following the participation in the exporting activity.

In Paper [I] we use data on Swedish public procurement auctions for internal regularcleaning service contracts to provide novel empirical evidence regarding green publicprocurement (GPP) and its effect on the potential suppliers’ decision to submit a bid andtheir probability of being qualified for supplier selection. We find only a weak effect onsupplier behavior which suggests that GPP does not live up to its political expectations.However, several environmental criteria appear to be associated with increased complexity,as indicated by the reduced probability of a bid being qualified in the postqualificationprocess. As such, GPP appears to have limited or no potential to function as an environmentalpolicy instrument. In Paper [II] the observation is made that empirical evaluations of the effect of policiestransmitted through public procurements on bid sizes are made using linear regressionsor by more involved non-linear structural models. The aspiration is typically to determinea marginal effect. Here, I compare marginal effects generated under both types ofspecifications. I study how a political initiative to make firms less environmentally damagingimplemented through public procurement influences Swedish firms’ behavior. Thecollected evidence brings about a statistically as well as economically significant effect onfirms’ bids and costs. Paper [III] embarks by noting that auction theory suggests that as the number of bidders(competition) increases, the sizes of the participants’ bids decrease. An issue in theempirical literature on auctions is which measurement(s) of competition to use. Utilizinga dataset on public procurements containing measurements on both the actual and potentialnumber of bidders I find that a workhorse model of public procurements is bestfitted to data using only actual bidders as measurement for competition. Acknowledgingthat all measurements of competition may be erroneous, I propose an instrumental variableestimator that (given my data) brings about a competition effect bounded by thosegenerated by specifications using the actual and potential number of bidders, respectively.Also, some asymptotic results are provided for non-linear least squares estimatorsobtained from a dependent variable transformation model. Paper [VI] introduces a novel method to measure bidders’ costs (valuations) in descending(ascending) auctions. Based on two bounded rationality constraints bidders’costs (valuations) are given an imperfect measurements interpretation robust to behavioraldeviations from traditional rationality assumptions. Theory provides no guidanceas to the shape of the cost (valuation) distributions while empirical evidence suggeststhem to be positively skew. Consequently, a flexible distribution is employed in an imperfectmeasurements framework. An illustration of the proposed method on Swedishpublic procurement data is provided along with a comparison to a traditional BayesianNash Equilibrium approach.

本研究的目的在暸解教師流動的型態與調動的因素，從83學年度臺灣省國民中學調動教師中抽取384人，並同時抽取380位未調動教師作為參照。 　　本研究採用虛擬依變項的迴歸分析，探討導致教師調動的因素。結果發現教師調動的型態存在往都會地區流動的現象。調動與非調動教師的比較中，在性別、教學年資、婚姻狀況與配偶的勞動參與率、自用住宅的擁有、調動次數、學校規模、以及是否為居民的變項上有顯著的不同。 　　在調動機率的影響方面，性別、教學年資、婚姻狀況與配偶的勞動參與率、調動次數、學校規模、以及薪資與福利措施的滿意度上，有著顯著的預測力。研究的結論是教育人力資源分配仍不平均，從影響教師調動機率的因素中，可以提供導引教育人力資源分配更加均衡的線索。 / The main purpose of this study is to inquire into the style about the teachers' mobility and the factors affecting such mobility. Sampling from 1994 academic year in Taiwan, the researcher focuses on the 384 cases of all mobilized teachers and their counterpart-380 nonmobilized cases. 　　A dummy dependent regression analysis is conducted to explore the factors. As a result, the phenomenon for mobility tends to flow into the metropolis. Factors affecting the mobility exhibits significant differences compared to nonmobility; such as factors among sex, seniority, marriage, inhibition, frequcncy of mobility and the scale of the school. 　　In additions, the propensity to mobile, as this study finds, has to do with their sex, seniority, marriage and the labor participation of spouse, frequcency of mobility, degree of the content about their wages and welfare, and the scale of the school. The conclusions made here are: the human resources in education is still scanty. From the factors influenced mobility probability, it can provide some clues to make the human resources in education more equal.

The main purpose of this study is to inquire into the style about the teachers' mobility and the factors affecting such mobility. Sampling from 1994 academic year in Taiwan, the researcher focuses on the 384 cases of all mobilized teachers and their counterpart-380 nonmobilized cases. A dummy dependent regression analysis is conducted to explore the factors. As a result, the phenomenon for mobility tends to flow into the metropolis. Factors affecting the mobility exhibits significant differences compared to nonmobility; such as factors among sex, seniority, marriage, inhibition, frequcncy of mobility and the scale of the school. In additions, the propensity to mobile, as this study finds, has to do with their sex, seniority, marriage and the labor participation of spouse, frequcency of mobility, degree of the content about their wages and welfare, and the scale of the school. The conclusions made here are: the human resources in education is still scanty. From the factors influenced mobility probability, it can provide some clues to make the human resources in education more equal.