Heterogeneous Treatment Effects in Groups
Gerhard Riener, Simon Wiederhold
Economics Letters,
No. 3,
2013
Abstract
We show in a laboratory experiment that the same method of group induction carries different behavioral consequences. These heterogeneous treatment effects can be directly related to the quality of the relationship established between the subjects. Our results indicate the importance of manipulation checks in group-formation tasks in economic experiments.
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Network Formation: R&D Cooperation Propensity and Timing Among German Laser Source Manufacturers
Muhamed Kudic, Andreas Pyka, Marco Sunder
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 9,
2013
Abstract
Empirical evidence on the evolution of innovation networks within high-tech industries is still scant. We investigate network formation processes by analyzing the timing of firms to enter R&D cooperations, using data on laser source manufacturers in Germany, 1990-2010. Network measures are constructed from a unique industry database that allows us to track both the formation and the termination of ties. Regression results reveal that a firm's knowledge endowment (and cooperation experience) shortens the duration to first (and consecutive) cooperation events. The previous occupation of strategic network positions is closely related to the establishment of further R&D cooperations at a swift pace. Geographic co-location produces mixed results in our analysis.
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Who Invests in Home Equity to Exempt Wealth from Bankruptcy?
S. Corradin, Reint E. Gropp, H. Huizinga, Luc Laeven
Abstract
Homestead exemptions to personal bankruptcy allow households to retain their home equity up to a limit determined at the state level. Households that may experience bankruptcy thus have an incentive to bias their portfolios towards home equity. Using US household data for the period 1996 to 2006, we find that household demand for real estate is relatively high if the marginal investment in home equity is covered by the exemption. The home equity bias is more pronounced for younger households that face more financial uncertainty and therefore have a higher ex ante probability of bankruptcy.
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Der Einfluss des Fernsehkonsums auf unsere Präferenzen
Walter Hyll, Lutz Schneider
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 2,
2013
Abstract
Fernsehen kann heutzutage als Freizeitbeschäftigung Nummer eins angesehen werden. Angesichts der großen Bedeutung dieses Mediums geht der Beitrag der Frage nach, ob Fernsehkonsum unser Verhalten und unsere Präferenzen beeinflusst. Um einen potenziellen Effekt methodisch einwandfrei identifizieren zu können, macht sich die Untersuchung ein einzigartiges natürliches Experiment innerhalb der DDR zunutze. Aufgrund von topographischen Gegebenheiten war es in einzelnen Regionen der DDR nicht möglich, Westfernsehprogramme zu empfangen. Dadurch kam es zu einer natürlichen Variation der Empfangsqualität. Die ökonometrische Analyse von Umfragedaten des Zentralinstituts für Jugendforschung der DDR aus den Jahren 1988/1989 kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass der Konsum von Westfernsehen die materiellen Aspirationen, also die Konsum- und Einkommenswünsche, erhöht hat.
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Bottom-up or Direct? Forecasting German GDP in a Data-rich Environment
Katja Drechsel, Rolf Scheufele
Abstract
This paper presents a method to conduct early estimates of GDP growth in Germany. We employ MIDAS regressions to circumvent the mixed frequency problem and use pooling techniques to summarize efficiently the information content of the various indicators. More specifically, we investigate whether it is better to disaggregate GDP (either via total value added of each sector or by the expenditure side) or whether a direct approach is more appropriate when it comes to forecasting GDP growth. Our approach combines a large set of monthly and quarterly coincident and leading indicators and takes into account the respective publication delay. In a simulated out-of-sample experiment we evaluate the different modelling strategies conditional on the given state of information and depending on the model averaging technique. The proposed approach is computationally simple and can be easily implemented as a nowcasting tool. Finally, this method also allows retracing the driving forces of the forecast and hence enables the interpretability of the forecast outcome.
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11.04.2013 • 13/2013
TV-Konsum weckt Konsumwünsche – Im Tal der Ahnungslosen war man weniger materialistisch
Fernsehkonsum beeinflusst unsere materiellen Präferenzen. Zu diesem Ergebnis kommt eine Untersuchung des Instituts für Wirtschaftsforschung Halle (IWH). Um den Effekt methodisch einwandfrei identifizieren zu können, machen sich die Autoren der Studie ein einzigartiges natürliches Experiment innerhalb der DDR zunutze. Aufgrund von topographischen Gegebenheiten konnten die Menschen in bestimmten Regionen der DDR wie im Bezirk Dresden kein Westfernsehprogramm empfangen, während es andernorts möglich war. Die Analyse von Umfragedaten des Zentralinstituts für Jugendforschung der DDR aus den Jahren 1988/1989 belegt, dass Bevölkerungsgruppen, die Westfernsehen konsumierten, höhere Ansprüche an Konsum und Einkommen hatten als die Bewohner im Dresdner „Tal der Ahnungslosen“.
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Teacher Experience and the Class Size Effect - Experimental Evidence
Steffen Müller
Journal of Public Economics,
2013
Abstract
We analyze teacher experience as a moderating factor for the effect of class size reduction on student achievement in the early grades using data from the Tennessee STAR experiment with random assignment of teachers and students to classes of different sizes. The analysis is motivated by the high costs of class size reductions and the need to identify the circumstances under which this investment is most rewarding. We find a class size effect only for senior teachers. The effect exists at all deciles of the achievement distribution but is less pronounced at lower deciles. We further show that senior teachers outperform rookies only in small classes. Interestingly, the class size effect is likely due to a higher quality of instruction in small classes.
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The Causal Effect of Watching TV on Material Aspirations: Evidence from the “Valley of the Innocent”
Walter Hyll, Lutz Schneider
Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization,
No. 86,
2013
Abstract
The paper addresses the question of whether TV consumption has an impact on material aspirations. We exploit a natural experiment that took place during the period in which Germany was divided. Owing to geographical reasons TV programs from the Federal Republic of Germany could not be received in all parts of the German Democratic Republic. Therefore a natural variation occurred in exposure to West German television. We find robust evidence that watching TV is positively correlated with aspirations. Our identification strategy implies a causal relationship running from TV to aspirations. This conclusion resists various sets of alternative specifications and samples.
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The Effects of Building Energy Codes in Rental Housing: The German Experience
Claus Michelsen, Sebastian Rosenschon
Economics Bulletin,
No. 4,
2012
Abstract
This paper investigates the effect of building energy codes on housings' real energy consumption. We argue that building codes should have a twofold effect: lower levels of energy consumption after its implementation and decreasing energy requirements over time, because tighter building codes induce technical progress in the construction sector. We find evidence for both aspects. Based on a large and unique sample of energy certificates from Germany, this study is the first that deals with the empirical effects of energy efficiency standards in apartment/rental housing. Moreover, it is the first, which includes different stages of regulation.
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The Causal Effect of Watching TV on Material Aspirations: Evidence from the “Valley of the Innocent”
Walter Hyll, Lutz Schneider
Abstract
The paper addresses the question of whether TV consumption has an impact on material aspirations. We exploit a natural experiment that took place during the period in which Germany was divided. Owing to geographical reasons, TV programs from the Federal Republic of Germany could not be received in all parts of the German Democratic Republic. Therefore, a natural variation occurred in exposure to West German television. We find robust evidence that watching TV is positively correlated with aspirations. Our identification strategy implies a causal relationship running from TV to aspirations. This conclusion resists various sets of alternative specifications and samples.
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