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本論文的研究主軸圍繞於自我迴歸模型的估計與推論上。文獻上自我迴歸模型的估計多直接採用最小平方法, 但此估計方式卻有兩個缺點:(一)當序列具單根時,最小平方估計式的漸近分配為非正規型態,因此檢定時需透過電腦模擬得到臨界值;(二)最小平方估計式雖具一致性,但卻有嚴重的有限樣本偏誤問題。有鑑於此,我們提出一種「二階差分轉換估計式」,並證明該估計式的偏誤遠低於前述最小平方估計式,且在序列為粧定與具單根的環境下具有相同的漸近常態分配。此外,二階差分轉換估計式相當適合應用於固定效果追蹤資料模型,而據以形成的追蹤資料單根檢定在序列較短的情況下仍有不錯的檢定力。 本論文共分四章,茲分別簡單說明如下: 第1章為緒論,回顧文獻上估計與推論自我回歸模型時的問題,並說明本論文的研究目標。估計自我迴歸模型的傳統方式是直接採取最小平方法,但在序列具單根的情況下由於訊息不隨時間消逝而快速累積,使估計式的收斂速度高於序列為恒定的情況。不過,這也導致最小平方估計式的漸近分配為非標準型態,並使得進行假設檢定前必須先透過電腦模擬來獲得臨界值。其次,最小平方估計式雖具一致性,但在有限樣本下卻是偏誤的。實證上, 樣本點不多是研究者時常面臨的窘境,並使得小樣本偏誤程度格外嚴重。本章中透過對前述問題形成因素的瞭解,說明解決與改善的方法,亦即我們提出的「二階差分轉換估計式」。 第2章主要目的在於推導二階差分轉換估計式之有限樣本偏誤。我們亦推導了多階差分自我迴歸模型下二階段最小平方估計式(two stage least squares, 2SLS)與 Phillips andHan (2008)採用的一階差分轉換估計式之偏誤,以同時進行比較。本章理論與模擬結果皆顯示,一階與二階差分轉換估許式與2SLS之 $T^{−1}$ 階偏誤程度皆低於以最小平方法估計原始準模型(level model)的偏誤,其中 T 為時間序列長度。另外,一階差分轉換估計式與二階差分轉換估計式在 $T^{−1}$ 階偏誤上,分別與一階和二階差分模型下2SLS相同,但兩估計式的相對偏誤程度則因自我相關係數的大小而互有優劣。同時,我們發現估計高於二階的差分模型對小樣本偏誤並無法有更進一步的改善。最後,即使在樣本點不多的情況下,本章所推導的偏誤理論對於實際偏誤仍有良好的近似能力。 第3章主要目的在於發展二階差分轉換估計式之漸近理論。與 Phillips and Han (2008) 採用之一階差分轉換估計式相似的是,該估計式在序列為恒定與具單根的情況下收斂速度相同,並有漸近常態分配的優點。值得注意的是, 二階差分轉換估計式的漸近分配為 N(0,2),不受任何未知參數的影響。另外,當序列呈現正自我相關時,二階差分轉換估計式相較於一階差分轉換估計式具有較小的漸近變異數,進而使得據以形成的檢定統計量有較佳的對立假設偵測能力。最後, 誠如 Phillips and Han (2008) 所述,由於差分過程消除了模型中的截距項,使得此類估計方法在固定效果的動態追蹤資料模型(dynamic panel data model with fixed effect) 具相當的發展與應用價值。 本論文第4 章進一步將二階差分轉換估計式推展至固定效果的動態追蹤資料模型。文獻上估計此種模型通常利用差分來消除固定效果後,再以一般動差法 (generalized method of moments, GMM) 進行估計。然而,這樣的估計方式在序列為近單根或具單根時卻面臨了弱工具變數(weak instrument)的問題,並導致嚴重的估計偏誤。相反的,差分轉換估計式所利用的動差條件在近單根與單根的情況下仍然穩固,因此在小樣本下的估計偏誤相當輕微(甚至無偏誤)。另外,我們證明了不論序列長度(T )或橫斷面規模(n)趨近無窮大,差分轉換估計式皆有漸近常態分配的性質。與單一序列時相同的是,我們提出的二階差分轉換估計式在序列具正自我相關性時的漸近變異數較一階差分轉換估計式小;受惠於此,利用二階差分轉換估計式所建構的檢定具有較佳的檢力。值得注意的是,由於二階差分轉換估計式在單根的情況下仍有漸近常態分配的性質,我們得以直接利用該漸近理論建構追蹤資料單根檢定。電腦模擬結果發現,在小 T 大 n 的情況下,其檢力優於文獻上常用的 IPS 檢定(Im et al., 1997, 2003)。 / This thesis deals with estimation and inference in autoregressive models. Conventionally, the autoregressive models estimated by the least squares (LS) procedure may be subject to two shortcomings. First, the asymptotic distribution of the LS estimates for autoregressive coefficient is discontinuous at unity. Test statistics based on the LS estimates thus follow nonstandard distributions, and the critical values obtained need to rely on Monte Carlo techniques. Secondly, as is well known, the LS estimates of autoregressive models are biased in finite samples. This bias could be substantial and leads to serious size distortion for the test statistics built on the estimates and forecast errors. In this thesis,we consider a simple newmethod ofmoments estimator, termed the “transformed second-difference” (hereafter TSD) estimator, that is without the aforementioned problems, and has many useful applications. Notably, when applied to dynamic panel models, the associated panel unit root tests shares a great power advantage over the existing ones, for the cases with very short time span. The thesis consists of 4 chapters, which are briefly described as follows. 1. Introduction: Overview and Purpose This chapter first reviews the literature and states the purpose of this dissertation. We discuss the sources of problems in estimating autoregressive models with the conventional method. The motivation to estimate the autoregressive series with multiple-difference models, instead of the conventional level model, is provided. We then propose a new estimator, the TSD estimator, which can avoid (fully or partly) the drawbacks of the LS method, and highlight its finite-sample and asymptotic properties. 2. The Bias of 2SLSs and transformed difference estimators in Multiple-Difference AR(1) Models In this chapter, we derive approximate bias for the TSD estimator. For comparisons, the corresponding bias of the two stage least squares estimators (2SLS) in multiple-difference AR(1) models and the transformed first-difference (TFD) estimator proposed by Chowdhurry (1987) are also given as by-products. We find that: (i) All the estimators considered are much less biased than the LS ones with the level regression; (ii)The difference method can be exploited to reduce the bias only up to the order of difference 2; and (iii) The bias of the TFD and TSD estimators share the same order at $O(T^{-1})$ as that of 2SLSs. However, to the extent of bias reductions, neither the 2 considered transformed difference estimators shows a uniform dominance over the entire parameter space. Our simulation evidence lends credible supports to our bias approximation theory. 3. Gaussian Inference in AR(1) Time Series with or without a Unit Root The goal of the chapter is to develop an asymptotic theory of the TSD estimator. Similar to that of the TFD estimator shown by Phillips and Han (2008), the TSDestimator is found to have Gaussian asymptotics for all values of ρ ∈ (−1, 1] with $\sqrt{T}$ rate of convergence, where ρ is the autoregressive coefficient of interest and T is the time span. Specifically, the limit distribution of the TSD estimator is N(0,2) for all possible values of ρ. In addition, the asymptotic variance of the TSD estimator is smaller than that of the TFD estimator for the cases with ρ > 0, and the corresponding t -test thus exhibits superior power to the TFD-based one. 4. Estimation and Inference with Moment Methods for Dynamic Panels with Fixed Effects This chapter demonstrates the usefulness of the TSD estimator when applying to to dynamic panel datamodels. We find again that the TSD estimator displays a standard Gaussian limit, with a convergence rate of $\sqrt{nT}$ for all values of ρ, including unity, irrespective of how n or T approaches infinity. Particularly, the TSD estimator makes use of moment conditions that are strong for all values of ρ, and therefore can completely avoid the weak instrument problem for ρ in the vicinity of unity, and has virtually no finite sample bias. As in the time series case, the asymptotic variance of the TSD estimator is smaller than that of the TFD estimator of Han and Phillips (2009) when ρ > 0 and T > 3, and the corresponding t -ratio test is thus more capable of unveiling the true data generating process. Furthermore, the asymptotic theory can be applied directly to panel unit root test. Our simulation results reveal that the TSD-based unit root test is more powerful than the widely used IPS test (Im et al, 1997, 2003) when n is large and T is small.

Cette thèse examine la relation complexe et la causalité entre la migration et le développement, sujet d'actualité vus les flux croissants de migrants et les transferts de fonds privés. La revue de la littérature théorique et empirique montre la complexité de cette relation, et l’absence de consensus dégagé par les travaux menés sur les causes et les effets de la migration sur le développement. Sur les causes de migration, une première estimation empirique montre qu’elle fait partie intégrante du processus de développement et n’est donc pas une simple conséquence de faibles niveaux de développement: le niveau de développement des pays d'origine s’accroissant, les aspirations et les capabilités des populations augmentent et si celles-ci font face à l'absence d’opportunités, elles vont migrer à condition d’en avoir les capabilités (compétences requises, moyens financiers, politiques de migration, etc.). Concernant l’impact de la migration, une deuxième estimation empirique montre un effet positif sur le développement via les transferts privés. Les modèles indiquent que leur contribution se fait à travers deux principaux canaux, l'investissement en capital et le capital humain (éducation et santé), lesquels sont susceptibles de permettre un développement à long terme des pays d'origine. Au niveau micro, une troisième série de modèles étudie le mécanisme de cet impact au niveau de ménages, à partir du cas de l'Egypte. Ces modèles confirment l'importance des transferts privés sur les niveaux d'éducation et de santé dans les ménages qui les reçoivent. Ces résultats sont censés contribuer à la compréhension de cette relation complexe entre migration et développement. / This thesis is concerned with the causal and complex relation between migration and development. A timely subject, especially with increasing flows of migrants and the remittances these migrants send home. Both the theoretical and empirical literature reviews address the complexity of this relation but consensuses on the causes and impacts of migration on development are generally inconclusive. On the causes of migration, our first empirical estimation shows that migration is part of the development process and not a simple result of its low levels: the increasing development level of the home countries increase the aspirations and capabilities of their populations and if these are faced with lack of opportunities at home, individuals seek migration provided they have the right capabilities (skills required, financial means, migration policies, etc.). On the impact of migration, our second empirical estimation gives evidence of a positive impact through remittances on the development of the home countries. The models show the positive contributions of remittances towards development through two main channels: capital investment and human capital (education and health). These two channels are believed to achieve long-term development of the home countries. At the micro level, we look at the mechanism of this impact at the household level, addressing the case study of Egypt. Our third models give evidence of the importance of these remittances in increasing both education and health status of the recipients’ households’. These findings are believed to make a contribution towards the understanding of this complex relation between migration and development.

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was investigated in this dissertation. Selected kinetic models from the literature were reviewed, and two new, generalized models of diffusion-limited effects (gel- and glass effects), derived from the current models were proposed and tested for bulk and solution polymerization of MMA in batch and semi-batch reactors, under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. The newly proposed models include the capability of modeling termination by combination, radical transfer to monomer and depropagation reaction. The new and previous models were compared with experimental data of bulk and solution polymerizations of MMA, under a selection of non-steady state processes conditions (initiator and monomer feed, step changes in temperature) and compositions (initiator and chain transfer agents, regarding both type and dosages). The particular case of a non-isothermal bulk polymerization was also investigated. A simulation program (Reactormodel) was developed in Matlab, and its algorithm is provided. / Sem resumo.

Die elektrischen Mikrofeldverteilungen (EMDs) und ihre Auswüchse wurden in einkomponentiger (OCP) Elektron-, zweikomponentigen (TCP) Elektron-Positron-, Wasserstoff- und einwertig ionisierten Alkaliplasmen im Rahmen verschiedener Pseudopotentialmodelle (PM) untersucht und mit sowohl Molekulardynamik (MD) und Monte-Carlo Simulationen als auch mit Experimenten vergliechen. Die verwendeten theoretischen Verfahren zur Berechnung von EMDs gehen zurück auf die von C. A. Iglesias entwickelte Kopplungsparameter Integrationstechnik (KPIT) für OCP und die von J. Ortner et al. vorgeschlagene verallgemeinerte KPIT für TCP. EMDs wurden im Rahmen der abgeschirmten Kelbg-, Deutsch-, Hellmann-Gurskii-Krasko(HGK)-PM untersucht, welche quantenmechanische Effekte, Abschirmungseffekte und die Struktur der Ionenrümpfe (HGK) berücksichtigen. Die Abschirmungseffekte wurden auf Grundlage der Bogoljubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon- Methode eingeführt. Wir haben das abgeschirmte HGK-Pseudopotential in der Debye-Näherung sowie in einer mäßig gekoppelten Plasma-Näherung verwendet. Wir haben verschiedene Typen vom asymptotischen Verhalten der Verteilungsauswüchse in Abhangigheit von Plasmaparameter, Plasmatypen und Strahler bestimmt. Der Vergleich der experimentell gewonnenen Daten mit sowohl einem synthetischen Li2+-Lyman-Spektrum als auch mit einer synthetischen Li II 548 nm Linie lassen den Schluss zu, daß die EMD, welche auf der Grundlage der Iglesias-Methode für OCP im HGK-PM und der MD erhalten wurde, eine gute Übereinstimmung mit den experimentellen Werten liefert. Die statischen partiellen und Ladung-Ladung-Strukturfaktoren (SSF) wurden für Alkali- und Be2+-Plasmen unter Verwendung der von G. Gregori et al. beschriebenen Methode berechnet. Die dynamischen Strukturfaktoren (DSF) für Alkaliplasmen wurden unter Verwendung der durch V. M. Adamyan et al. entwickelten Methode der Momente berechnet. Bei beiden Methoden wurde das abgeschirmte HGK-Pseudopotential verwendet. / The electric microfield distributions (EMDs) and its tails have been studied for electron one-component plasma (OCP), electron-positron, hydrogen and single-ionized alkali two-component plasmas (TCP) in a frame of different pseudopotential models (PM) and compared with Molecular Dynamics (MD) and Monte-Carlo simulations as well as with experiments. The theoretical methods used for calculation of EMDs are a coupling-parameter integration technique (CPIT) developed by C. A. Iglesias for OCP and the generalized CPIT proposed by J. Ortner et al. for TCP. We studied the EMDs in a frame of the screened Kelbg, Deutsch, Hellmann-Gurskii-Krasko (HGK) PMs which take into account quantum-mechanical, screening effects and the ion shell structure (HGK) due to the Pauli exclusion principle. The screening effects were introduced on a base of Bogoljubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon method. We used the screened HGK pseudopotential in the Debye approximation as well as in a moderately coupled plasma approximation. The influence of the plasma coupling parameter on the EMD along with the ion shell structure was investigated. We determined different types of asymptotic behaviour of EMD tails in dependence on the plasma type, parameters and radiator. Comparison of a synthetic Li2+ Lyman spectrum as well as comparison of a synthetic Li II 548 nm line with experimental data allows us to conclude that the EMD, obtained on a base of the CPIT method for OCP within the HGK PM and MD, provides a good agreement with the experiment. We have calculated the partial and charge-charge static structure factors (SSF) for alkali and Be2+ plasmas using the method described by G. Gregori et al.. We have calculated the dynamic structure factors (DSF) for alkali plasmas using the method of moments developed by V. M. Adamyan et al. In both methods the screened HGK pseudopotential has been used.

Die vorliegende Dissertation zu makroökonomischen Themen beinhaltet einen einleitenden Literaturüberblick, drei eigenständige und voneinander unabhängige Kapitel sowie einen technischen Anhang. In Kapitel zwei wird ein Zwei-Länder Modell einer Währungsunion betrachtet, in dem die gemeinsame Zentralbank die Wohlfahrt der gesamten Währungsunion maximieren will, während die zwei fiskalpolitischen Akteure vergleichbare, aber minimal abweichende länderspezifische Verlustfunktionen zu minimieren suchen. Das Konkurrenzverhalten dieser drei Institutionen wird in sieben spieltheoretischen Szenarien analysiert. Beim Vergleich einer homogenen mit einer heterogenen Währungsunion lassen sich für letztere deutlich höhere Wohlfahrtsverluste relativ zum sozialen Optimum feststellen. Die Szenarien mit den geringsten Wohlfahrtsverlusten sind Kooperation aller drei Institutionen und eine Stackelberg-Führerschaft der Zentralbank. Kapitel drei untersucht, inwieweit das Verhältnis von Immobilienpreise zum Bruttoinlandsprodukt als langfristig konstant und nur auf Grund von Produktivitätsschocks von seinem Mittelwert abweichend angesehen werden kann. Hierzu wird ein Zwei-Sektoren RBC-Modell für den Immobiliensektor und einen Konsumgütersektor erstellt. Es wird gezeigt, dass ein antizipierter, zukünftiger Schock auf das Produktivitätswachstum im Konsumgütersektor eine sofortige, deutliche Erhöhung der Immobilienpreise relativ zum Bruttoinlandsprodukt zur Folge hat. In Kapitel vier wird gefragt, ob ein typisches Neukeynesianisches Modell "sechs große Rätsel der internationalen Makroökonomie" erklären kann. Die sechs Rätsel werden in Bedingungen für erste und zweite Momente übersetzt und fünf wesentliche Modellparameter geschätzt. Das Ergebnis ist erstaunlich gut: unter anderem können die empirischen Beobachtungen zur Heimatpräferenz wiedergegeben und die Schwankungsbreite des realen Wechselkurses deutlich erhöht werden. Handelskosten sind für dieses Ergebnis ein wesentlicher Faktor. / This dissertation consists of an introductory chapter with an extended literature review, three chapters on individual and independent research topics, and an appendix. Chapter 2 uses a two-country model with a central bank maximizing union-wide welfare and two fiscal authorities minimizing comparable, but slightly different country-wide losses. The rivalry between the three authorities is analyzed in seven static games. Comparing a homogeneous with a heterogeneous monetary union, welfare losses relative to the social optimum are found to be significantly larger in a heterogeneous union. The best-performing scenarios are cooperation between all authorities and monetary leadership. The goal of Chapter 3 is to investigate whether or not it is possible to explain the house price to GDP ratio and the house price to stock price ratio as being generally constant, deviating from its respective mean only because of shocks to productivity? Building a two-sector RBC model for residential and non-residential capital, it is shown that an anticipated future shock to productivity growth in the non-residential sector leads to an immediate large increase in house prices relative to GDP. In Chapter 4, it is asked whether a typical New Keynesian Open Economy Model is able to explain "Six Major Puzzles in International Macroeconomics". After translating the six puzzles into moment conditions for the model, I estimate five parameters to fit the moment conditions implied by the data. Given the simplicity of the model, its fit is surprisingly good: among other things, the home bias puzzles can easily be replicated, the exchange rate volatility is formidably increased and the exchange rate correlation pattern is relatively close to realistic values. Trade costs are one important ingredient for this finding.

Negli ultimi anni, la gestione illegale dei rifiuti ha attirato l’attenzione pubblica e dell’accademia. A causa delle sue conseguenze negative non solo per l’ambiente, ma anche per la salute pubblica e la crescita economica, gli esperti hanno cominciato ad esplorare le dinamiche del fenomeno e le possibilità di prevenzione. Alcuni studi hanno evidenziato l’esistenza di diversi fattori che possono determinare la gestione illegale dei rifiuti, ma pochi di essi hanno empiricamente testato la validità dei fattori stessi. Di conseguenza, si avverte la necessità di produrre nuova conoscenza sull’argomento. Il presente studio consiste in un’analisi esplorativa di fattori socio-economici, fattori di policy e di performance, e fattori criminali che influenzano la gestione illegale dei rifiuti in Italia. Dopo aver identificato le determinanti considerate rilevanti dalla letteratura, l’obiettivo è quello di testarle empiricamente. Per prima cosa, grazie all’unicità di un dataset creato sul contesto italiano, nello studio si indaga quantitativamente l’effetto di diversi fattori sul fenomeno attraverso un’analisi econometrica. Successivamente, lo studio prosegue con un’analisi “crime script” al fine di esplorare quali fattori suggeriti dalla letteratura e testati nella parte quantitativa emergono anche da casi studio e come effettivamente intervengono nel ciclo dei rifiuti italiano. I risultati indicano che la gestione illegale dei rifiuti è determinata da: i) uno scarso sviluppo economico e demografico, un alto livello d’istruzione nel territorio, la presenza di turisti; ii) l'inefficienza della normativa ambientale, delle forze dell’ordine e delle prestazioni sui rifiuti; iii) la presenza di criminalità organizzata e la diffusione di crimini economici e fiscali. Prendendo spunto da questi risultati, lo studio non solo aumenta la conoscenza sul fenomeno, ma è anche in grado di avanzare alcuni suggerimenti di policy per contrastare efficacemente le condotte illegali legate alla gestione dei rifiuti. / In the last several decades, illegal waste management (IWM) has attracted great academic and public attention. Due to its negative consequences not only for the environment, but also for public health and economic growth, scholars started to be interested in the dynamics of IWM and in how to prevent it. Some studies stressed the existence of different factors that can determine the phenomenon, but very few of them have empirically tested their validity. Consequently, developing new research on the topic is still necessary. The present study conducts an explorative analysis of the socio-economic, policy and performance-driven and criminal factors influencing IWM in Italy. After the identification of the most relevant determinants according to the literature, the objective is to empirically test them. First, thanks to a unique dataset focused on the Italian context, the study quantitatively investigates the effect of different factors on the phenomenon through an econometric analysis. Second, the study realises a crime script analysis to explore which factors suggested by the literature and tested in the quantitative part emerge also in concrete case studies and how they effectively intervene in the Italian waste cycle. Results indicate that IWM is determined by: i) a low level of economic development and population density, a high level of education and tourists’ presence; ii) inefficiency in environmental regulation, enforcement and waste performances; iii) the presence of organised crime and the diffusion of economic and fiscal crimes. According to these findings, the study not only deepens the knowledge of the phenomenon, but it is also able to provide some policy suggestions to efficiently hinder illegal conducts related to waste management.

This thesis analyzes market risk factors in commodity and currency markets. It focuses on the impact of extreme events on the prices of financial products traded in these markets, and on the overall market risk faced by the investors. The first chapter develops a simple two-factor jump-diffusion model for valuation of contingent claims on commodities in order to investigate the pricing implications of shocks that are exogenous to this market. The second chapter analyzes the nature and pricing implications of the abrupt changes in exchange rates, as well as the ability of these changes to explain the shapes of option-implied volatility "smiles". Finally, the third chapter employs the notion that key results of the univariate extreme value theory can be applied separately to the principal components of ARMA-GARCH residuals of a multivariate return series. The proposed approach yields more precise Value at Risk forecasts than conventional multivariate methods, while maintaining the same efficiency. / El objetivo de esta tesis es analizar los factores del riesgo del mercado de las materias primas y las divisas. Está centrada en el impacto de los eventos extremos tanto en los precios de los productos financieros como en el riesgo total de mercado al cual se enfrentan los inversores. En el primer capítulo se introduce un modelo simple de difusión y saltos (jump-diffusion) con dos factores para la valuación de activos contingentes sobre las materias primas, con el objetivo de investigar las implicaciones de shocks en los precios que son exógenos a este mercado. En el segundo capítulo se analiza la naturaleza e implicaciones para la valuación de los saltos en los tipos de cambio, así como la capacidad de éstos para explicar las formas de sonrisa en la volatilidad implicada. Por último, en el tercer capítulo se utiliza la idea de que los resultados principales de la Teoria de Valores Extremos univariada se pueden aplicar por separado a los componentes principales de los residuos de un modelo ARMA-GARCH de series multivariadas de retorno. El enfoque propuesto produce pronósticos de Value at Risk más precisos que los convencionales métodos multivariados, manteniendo la misma eficiencia.

Submitted by Haroudo Xavier Filho (haroudo.xavierfo@ufpe.br) on 2016-04-05T14:28:43Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) dissertacao_Raphaela(CD).pdf: 1067677 bytes, checksum: 6d371901336a7515911aeffd9ee38c74 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-05T14:28:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) dissertacao_Raphaela(CD).pdf: 1067677 bytes, checksum: 6d371901336a7515911aeffd9ee38c74 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-31 / CAPES / Este trabalho analisa propriedades da família de distribuições de probabilidade Composta N e propõe a sub-família Composta Poisson-Truncada como um meio de compor distribuições de probabilidade. Suas propriedades foram estudadas e uma nova distribuição foi investigada: a distribuição Composta Poisson-Truncada Normal. Esta distribuição possui três parâmetros e tem uma flexibilidade para modelar dados multimodais. Demonstramos que sua densidade é dada por uma mistura infinita de densidades normais em que os pesos são dados pela função de massa de probabilidade da Poisson-Truncada. Dentre as propriedades exploradas desta distribuição estão a função característica e expressões para o cálculo dos momentos. Foram analisados três métodos de estimação para os parâmetros da distribuição Composta Poisson-Truncada Normal, sendo eles, o método dos momentos, o da função característica empírica (FCE) e o método de máxima verossimilhança (MV) via algoritmo EM. Simulações comparando estes três métodos foram realizadas e, por fim, para ilustrar o potencial da distribuição proposta, resultados numéricos com modelagem de dados reais são apresentados. / This work analyzes properties of the Compound N family of probability distributions and proposes the sub-family Compound Poisson-Truncated as a means of composing probability distributions. Its properties were studied and a new distribution was investigated: the Compound Poisson-Truncated Normal distribution. This distribution has three parameters and has the flexibility to model multimodal data. We demonstrated that its density is given by an infinite mixture of normal densities where in the weights are given by the Poisson-Truncated probability mass function. Among the explored properties of this distribution are the characteristic function end expressions for the calculation of moments. Three estimation methods were analyzed for the parameters of the Compound Poisson-Truncated Normal distribution, namely, the method of moments, the empirical characteristic function (ECF) and the method of maximum likelihood (ML) by EM algorithm. Simulations comparing these three methods were performed and, finally, to illustrate the potential of the proposed distribution numerical results with real data modeling are presented.

The research performed throughout this dissertation aims at implementing quantitative methods in order to assess economic and technological performances of firms, i.e. it tries to assess the impacts of the determinants of technological activity on the results of this activity. For this purpose, a representative sample of the most important R&D firms in the world is constituted. The micro-economic nature of the analysis, as well as its international dimension are two main features of this research at the empirical level.<p><p>The second chapter illustrates the importance of R&D investments, patenting activities and other measures of technological activities performed by firms over the last 10 years.<p><p>The third chapter describes the main features as well as the construction of the database. The raw data sample consists of comparable detailed micro-level data on 2676 large manufacturing firms from several countries. These firms have reported important R&D expenditures over the period 1980-1994.<p><p>The fourth chapter explores the dynamic structure of the patent-R&D relationship by considering the number of patent applications as a function of present and lagged levels of R&D expenditures. R&D spillovers as well as technological and geographical opportunities are taken into account as additional determinants in order to explain patenting behaviours. The estimates are based on recently developed econometric techniques that deal with the discrete non-negative nature of the dependent patent variable as well as the simultaneity that can arise between the R&D decisions and patenting. The results show evidence of a rather contemporaneous impact of R&D activities on patenting. As far as R&D spillovers are concerned, these externalities have a significantly higher impact on patenting than own R&D. Furthermore, these effects appear to take more time, three years on average, to show up in patents.<p><p>The fifth chapter explores the contribution of own stock of R&D capital to productivity performance of firms. To this end the usual productivity residual methodology is implemented. The empirical section presents a first set of results which replicate the analysis of previous studies and tries to assess the robustness of the findings with regard to the above issues. Then, further results, based on different sub samples of the data set, investigate to what extent the R&D contribution on productivity differs across firms of different industries and geographic areas or between small and large firms and low and high-tech firms. The last section explores more carefully the simultaneity issue. On the whole, the estimates indicate that R&D has a positive impact on productivity performances. Yet, this contribution is far from being homogeneous across the different dimensions of data or according to the various assumptions retained in the productivity model.<p><p>The last empirical chapter goes deeper into the analysis of firms' productivity increases, by considering besides own R&D activities the impact of technological spillovers. The chapter begins by surveying the alternative ways proposed in the literature in order to asses the effect of R&D spillovers on productivity. The main findings reported by some studies at the micro level are then outlined. Then, the framework to formalize technological externalities and other technological determinants is exposed. This framework is based on a positioning of firms into a technological space using their patent distribution across technological fields. The question of whether the externalities generated by the technological and geographic neighbours are different on the recipient's productivity is also addressed by splitting the spillover variable into a local and national component. Then, alternative measures of technological proximity are examined. Some interesting observations emerge from the empirical results. First, the impact of spillovers on productivity increases is positive and much more important than the contribution of own R&D. Second, spillover effects are not the same according to whether they emanate from firms specialized in similar technological fields or firms more distant in the technological space. Finally, the magnitude and direction of these effects are radically different within and between the pillars of the Triad. While European firms do not appear to particularly benefit from both national and international sources of spillovers, US firms are mainly receptive to their national stock and Japanese firms take advantage from the international stock.<p> / Doctorat en sciences économiques, Orientation économie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished