Econometric estimation of hidden factors in group decision making – their impacton power index estimation

Assessing the voting power of a decision maker depends on the appropriate evaluation of all factors influencing such power. Models constructed with the use of a set of given factors are usually statistically significant, but at the same time the determination coefficient is very low. An econometric technique is proposed, which increases the determination coefficient of such a model and consequently improves the estimation of voting power using a power index. Such an approach enables us to investigate the nature of hidden factors by considering their effects and variation in the model. An example and algorithm for improving the econometric model are also presented.