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Hauptverfasser: Lu, Jay, Luo, Yao, Saito, Kota, Xin, Yi
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2024
Schlagworte:
Online-Zugang:https://arxiv.org/abs/2406.07809
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author Lu, Jay
Luo, Yao
Saito, Kota
Xin, Yi
author_facet Lu, Jay
Luo, Yao
Saito, Kota
Xin, Yi
contents This paper proposes an empirical model of dynamic discrete choice to allow for non-separable time preferences, generalizing the well-known Rust (1987) model. Under weak conditions, we show the existence of value functions and hence well-defined optimal choices. We construct a contraction mapping of the value function and propose an estimation method similar to Rust's nested fixed point algorithm. Finally, we apply the framework to the bus engine replacement data. We improve the fit of the data with our general model and reject the null hypothesis that Harold Zuercher has separable time preferences. Misspecifying an agent's preference as time-separable when it is not leads to biased inferences about structure parameters (such as the agent's risk attitudes) and misleading policy recommendations.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2406_07809
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Did Harold Zuercher Have Time-Separable Preferences?
Lu, Jay
Luo, Yao
Saito, Kota
Xin, Yi
Econometrics
This paper proposes an empirical model of dynamic discrete choice to allow for non-separable time preferences, generalizing the well-known Rust (1987) model. Under weak conditions, we show the existence of value functions and hence well-defined optimal choices. We construct a contraction mapping of the value function and propose an estimation method similar to Rust's nested fixed point algorithm. Finally, we apply the framework to the bus engine replacement data. We improve the fit of the data with our general model and reject the null hypothesis that Harold Zuercher has separable time preferences. Misspecifying an agent's preference as time-separable when it is not leads to biased inferences about structure parameters (such as the agent's risk attitudes) and misleading policy recommendations.
title Did Harold Zuercher Have Time-Separable Preferences?
topic Econometrics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2406.07809