This paper proposes a semiparametric estimator for single- and multiple index models. It provides an extension of the average derivative estimator to the multiple index model setting. The estimator uses the average of the outer product of derivatives and is shown to be root-N consistent and...

Economists have been rather skeptical towards the use of subjective information. This thesis shows that this type of information can be relevant for the empirical explanation of economic decisions. Three examples of subjective information, which are time preference, income uncertainty, and risk...

Attitudes towards risk play a major role in many economic decisions. In empirical studies one quite often assumes that attitudes towards risk do not vary across individuals. This papers questions this assumption and analyses which factors influence an individual's risk attitude. Based on...

This paper illustrates how to compare different microscopic simulation (MS) models and how to compare a MS model with real data in case the parameters of interest are estimated non- or semiparametrically.As examples we investigate the marginal single-period probability density function of stock...

This paper proposes a semiparametric estimator for single- and multiple index models.It provides an extension of the average derivative estimator to the multiple index model setting.The estimator uses the average of the outer product of derivatives and is shown to be root-N consistent and...

The growing literature on precautionary saving clearly indicates the need for measurement of income uncertainty. In this paper we empirically analyze subjective income uncertainty in the Netherlands. Data come from the Dutch VSB panel. We measure income uncertainty directly by asking questions...

Microscopic simulation models are often evaluated based on visual inspection of the results.This paper presents formal econometric techniques to compare microscopic simulation (MS) models with real-life data.A related result is a methodology to compare different MS models with each other.For...

Charities mainly rely on direct mailings to attract the attention of potential donators. Individuals may feel irritated by these mailings, in particular when they receive many mailings. We study the consequences of perceived irritation on stated behavior and on actual behavior. Target selection...

Marketing problems sometimes concern the analysis of dichotomous variables, like for example ``buy'' and ``not buy'' and ``respond'' and ``not respond''. It can happen that one outcome strongly outnumbers the other, for example when many households do not respond (to a direct mailing, for...