Robust Inference Methods for Latent Group Panel Models under Possible Group Non-Separation

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Akgun, Oguzhan, Okui, Ryo
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Akgun, Oguzhan
Okui, Ryo
author_facet Akgun, Oguzhan
Okui, Ryo
contents This paper presents robust inference methods for general linear hypotheses in linear panel data models with latent group structure in the coefficients. We employ a selective conditional inference approach, deriving the conditional distribution of coefficient estimates given the group structure estimated from the data. Our procedure provides valid inference under possible violations of group separation, where distributional properties of group-specific coefficients remain unestablished. Furthermore, even when group separation does hold, our method demonstrates superior finite-sample properties compared to traditional asymptotic approaches. This improvement stems from our procedure's ability to account for statistical uncertainty in the estimation of group structure. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach through Monte Carlo simulations and apply the methods to two datasets on: (i) the relationship between income and democracy, and (ii) the cyclicality of firm-level R&D investment.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2511_18550
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Robust Inference Methods for Latent Group Panel Models under Possible Group Non-Separation
Akgun, Oguzhan
Okui, Ryo
Econometrics
Methodology
Machine Learning
This paper presents robust inference methods for general linear hypotheses in linear panel data models with latent group structure in the coefficients. We employ a selective conditional inference approach, deriving the conditional distribution of coefficient estimates given the group structure estimated from the data. Our procedure provides valid inference under possible violations of group separation, where distributional properties of group-specific coefficients remain unestablished. Furthermore, even when group separation does hold, our method demonstrates superior finite-sample properties compared to traditional asymptotic approaches. This improvement stems from our procedure's ability to account for statistical uncertainty in the estimation of group structure. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach through Monte Carlo simulations and apply the methods to two datasets on: (i) the relationship between income and democracy, and (ii) the cyclicality of firm-level R&D investment.
title Robust Inference Methods for Latent Group Panel Models under Possible Group Non-Separation
topic Econometrics
Methodology
Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.18550