This paper demonstrates that even regression results obtained by techniques close to the standard ordinary least squares (OLS) method can be difficult to replicate if a stochastic model fitting algorithm is employed. / Series: Research Report Series / Department of Statistics and Mathematics

The classical Poisson, geometric and negative binomial regression models for count data belong to the family of generalized linear models and are available at the core of the statistics toolbox in the R system for statistical computing. After reviewing the conceptual and computational features of these methods, a new implementation of zero-inflated and hurdle regression models in the functions zeroinfl() and hurdle() from the package pscl is introduced. It re-uses design and functionality of the basic R functions just as the underlying conceptual tools extend the classical models. Both model classes are able to incorporate over-dispersion and excess zeros - two problems that typically occur in count data sets in economics and the social and political sciences - better than their classical counterparts. Using cross-section data on the demand for medical care, it is illustrated how the classical as well as the zero-augmented models can be fitted, inspected and tested in practice. (author's abstract) / Series: Research Report Series / Department of Statistics and Mathematics

In this thesis advanced regression methods are applied to discuss and investigate highly relevant research questions in the areas of finance and economics. In the field of credit risk the thesis investigates a hierarchical model which allows to obtain a consensus score, if several ratings are available for each firm. Autoregressive processes and random effects are used to model both a correlation structure between and within the obligors in the sample. The model also allows to validate the raters themselves. The problem of model uncertainty and multicollinearity between the explanatory variables is addressed in the other two applications. Penalized regressions, like bridge regressions, are used to handle multicollinearity while model averaging techniques allow to account for model uncertainty. The second part of the thesis makes use of Bayesian elastic nets and Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) techniques to discuss long-term economic growth. It identifies variables which are significantly related to long-term growth. Additionally, it illustrates the superiority of this approach in terms of predictive accuracy. Finally, the third part combines ridge regressions with BMA to identify macroeconomic variables which are significantly related to aggregated firm failure rates. The estimated results deliver important insights for e.g., stress-test scenarios. (author's abstract)

Most retailers and scientists agree that supporting the buying decisions of individual customers or groups of customers with specific product recommendations holds great promise. Target-oriented promotional campaigns are more profitable in comparison to uniform methods of sale promotion such as discount pricing campaigns. This seems to be particulary true if the promoted products are well matched to the preferences of the customers or customer groups. But how can retailers identify customer groups and determine which products to offer them? To answer this question, this dissertation describes an algorithmic procedure which identifies customer groups with similar preferences for specific product combinations in recorded transaction data. In addition, for each customer group it recommends products which promise higher sales through cross-selling if appropriate promotion techniques are applied. To illustrate the application of this algorithmic approach, an analysis is performed on the transaction database of a supermarket. The identified customer groups are used for a simulation. The results show that appropriate promotional campaigns which implement this algorithmic approach can achieve an increase in profit from 15% to as much as 191% in contrast to uniform discounts on the purchase price of bestsellers. (author's abstract)