Another look at the estimation of dynamic programming models with censored decision variables

In this paper we propose a new approach to estimate the structural parameters in the context of a censored continuous decision model. Instead of handling with the original model, we consider an approximate model in which the decision variable has been discretized in a finite number of values. In this sense, an ordered choice model becomes a natural approximation to an underlying and more complicated censored continuous one. We extend the kind of Hotz-Miller estimators proposed for the estimation of binary or multinomial choice models to the context of ordered choice models. The estimation approach is based on the existence of a one-to-one mapping from conditional choice value functions to conditional choice probabilities. Exploiting the invertibility of that mapping it is possible to obtain structural parameter estimates without solving the dynamic programming problem

Pseudo-maximum likelihood estimation of a dynamic structural investment model

This paper belongs to the recent investment literature focused on the modelling of microeconomic investment decisions. The increasing concern about this topic is related to the growing availability of microeconomic datasets which show the investment behavior taking place at the firm level. This behavior is far from the smooth capital adjustment pattern derived from the traditional investment models. Rather it is characterized by infrequent and lumpy adjustment. New investment models must be considered to capture this behavior. In this paper we formulate a dynamic structural investment model with irreversibility and nonconvex adjustment costs and try to stress the importance of these costs in the firms' investment decisions. From the methodological point of view, we set the investment decision on the dynamic programming framework. More specifically, we consider a discrete choice dynamic programming problem in which firms decide to invest or not to invest. The estimation strategy we adopt is the Nested Pseudo-Likelihood (NPL) algorithm recently proposed by Aguirregabiria and Mira (2002). It is an estimation method which has clear advantages over previous techniques proposed in this context. Up to our knowledge, this paper constitutes the first empirical application of this estimation method

Promoting the Introduction of Lifelong Learning Related Concepts in the Description of Information Resources Using Metadata Technology

The rise of Internet has created an urgent need to define widely agreed-upon methods and vocabularies for describing its contents in a consistent and orderly manner. This necessip can be satisfied by means of the use of Metadata Schemas. In achieving this aim in relation to the Educational, Vocational and Training sector, several initiatives have emerged at an international level, but there is a need for integrating core skills and competencies issues, which are very important in relation to the new paradigm of Lifelong Learning (LLL) and especially regarding with informal education and training, into the metadata solutions that are arisen in the framework of those initiatives

Estimation of a dynamic discrete choice model of irreversible investment

In this paper we propose and estimate a dynamic structural model of fixed capital investment at the firm level. Our dataset consists of an unbalanced panel of Spanish manufacturing firms. Two important features are present in this dataset. There are periods in which firms decide not to invest and periods of large investment episodes. These empirical evidence of infrequent and lumpy investment provides evidence in favour of irreversibilities and nonconvex capital adjustment costs. We consider a dynamic discrete choice model of irreversible investment with a general specification of adjustment costs including convex and nonconvex components. We use a two stage estimation procedure. In a first stage, we obtain GMM estimates of technological parameters. In the second stage, we obtain partial maximum likelihood estimates for the adjustment cost parameters. The estimation strategy builds on the representation of conditional value functions as a computable function of conditional choice probabilities. It is in the line of structural estimation techniques which avoid the solution of the dynamic programming problem

Victimización múltiple (bullying y ciberacoso) en la Educación Primaria en España desde una perspectiva de género

Los estudios demuestran que la agresión cara a cara se extiende a otros tipos de comportamientos de acoso escolar a través de tecnologías digitales. La investigación actual es limitada en educación primaria y contradictoria en términos de género. Este estudio analizó la prevalencia del bullying y el ciberacoso en España a una edad temprana, identificando grupos de víctimas desde una perspectiva de género. También asoció las variables escolares (sentido de pertenencia a la escuela, absentismo o confianza delestudiantado en las materias STEM) a perfiles más vulnerable. En un segundo análisis, 4756 alumnos españoles de educación primaria de cuarto grado completaron la encuesta estandarizada TIMMS 2015. Los resultados mostraron cuatro grupos de víctimas, dos caracterizadas por la victimización múltiple (bullying y cyberbullying). Hubo diferencias significativas de género entre los grupos. El porcentaje de niñas en el perfil de víctimas de acoso severo fue mayor. Sin embargo, en general, hubo una mayor presencia de niños en los diferentes grupos de víctimas. Las variables escolares consideradas se asociaron de forma diferencial según el género. El sentido de pertenencia del estudiantado en la escuela no era el mismo para niñas y niños, ni tenían la misma actitud hacia el absentismo. Los resultados se discuten en relación con otros estudios, junto con conclusiones sobre el diseño de intervenciones educativas y futuras investigaciones.Studies show that face-to-face aggression extends to other types of bullying behaviours through digital technologies. Current research is limited in primary education and contradictory in terms of gender. This study looked at the prevalence of bullying and cyberbullying in Spain at an early age, identifying groups of victims from a gender perspective. It also associated school variables (sense of belonging at school, absenteeism or student confidence in STEM subjects) to the most vulnerable profile. In a second analysis, 4756 Spanish 4th grade Primary Education pupils completed the TIMMS 2015 standardized survey. The results showed four groups of victims, two characterized by multiple victimization (bullying and cyberbullying). There were significant gender differences between the groups. The percentage of girls in the profile of victims of severe harassment was higher. However, overall there was a greater presence of boys across the different groups of victims. The school variables considered were associated differentially according to gender. The student sense of belonging at school was not the same for girls and boys, nor did they have the same attitude towards absenteeism. The results are discussed in relation to other studies together with conclusions regarding the design of educational interventions and future researc

Corporate criminal liability: similarities and differences between Spain and Philippines

This paper focuses on the topic of corporate criminal liability and the common and opposite aspects that regimes of Spain and The Philippines have. On the one hand, in Spain, criminal liability of legal persons has suffered a deep reform with the organic law 1/2015, after being introduced in year 2010. This reform has brought important modifications and news, as the creation of an exemption of liability through the adoption of compliance programs. On the other hand, corporate criminal liability is more limited in The Philippines, being criticized by the doctrine that, rather to impose this kind of liability to companies, natural persons as directors, officers or employees of the corporation are the only ones considered responsible for some crimes. The analysis of both regimes, the Spanish and the Philippines one, will comprise different aspects of the issue as the crimes for which companies can be criminally liable, the ways to require to them criminal liability or their exemption of it and the possible sanctions that can be imposed. The comparative study will bring out the positive and the negative points of both regimes.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Spain and the Philippines in the protection of the right to a reasonable time in criminal proceedings

The subject of this work deals with the right of every person, provided in Article 6.1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, to a hearing within a reasonable time, specifically in criminal proceedings. This right, which in Spain enjoys constitutional protection in Article 24.2 and gives rise to a reduction of the penalty through the application of a mitigating circumstance, provided in article 21.6 of the Criminal Code, also constitutes an object of protection in the Philippines through Article III Section 14 of its Constitution or through the Speedy Trial Act, among other regulations. The legal configuration of this right in both legal systems has been specially conditioned by case-law but in different senses. Thus, on the one hand, in Spanish law the mitigation applicable to the penalty was introduced into the Criminal Code in 2010 on the basis of a consolidated case-law practice, influenced by the requirements contained in the judicial decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, which pay attention to the circumstances of the specific case, instead of requiring predetermined deadlines. On the other hand, the protection of this right in the Philippine Law, and in particular, the case-law of the Supreme Court, has closely followed the case-law of the United States to interpret the constitutional right to speedy trial, in addition to constitutionally demanding deadlines which the courts must respect. In conclusion, the present paper intends to compare the two systems, to firstly determine whether in both cases this issue is addressed from the same approach, since in the Spanish case the term used is ‘reasonable time’ while in the Filipino ‘speedy trial’; secondly, to study the requirements of both legal systems; and, thirdly, to evaluate them to consider whether, in both cases, the protection of this procedural guarantee of great relevance is ensured.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Cómo mejorar la comprensión y comunicación de información sobre riesgos médicos y salud

Informed and shared decision making require that people understand health risks. Unfortunately, many people are not risk literate and are biased by common risk communication practices. In this talk, we review a collection of studies investigating the benefits of visual aids for communicating health risks to diverse vulnerable individuals (e.g., varying in abilities, ages, risk characteristics, and cultural backgrounds). Studies show that appropriately designed visual aids are often highly effective, transparent, and ethically desirable tools for improving decision making, changing attitudes, and reducing risky behavior. Theoretical mechanisms, open questions, and emerging applications are discussedUniversidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech