A Bayesian mixed logit-probit model for multinomial choice
Abstract
In this paper we introduce a new flexible mixed model for multinomial discrete choice where the key individual- and alternative-specific parameters of interest are allowed to follow an assumption-free nonparametric density specification while other alternative-specific coefficients are assumed to be drawn from a multivariate normal distribution which eliminates the independence of irrelevant alternatives assumption at the individual level. A hierarchical specification of our model allows us to break down a complex data structure into a set of submodels with the desired features that are naturally assembled in the original system. We estimate the model using a Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo technique with a multivariate Dirichlet Process (DP) prior on the coefficients with nonparametrically estimated density. We employ a "latent class" sampling algorithm which is applicable to a general class of models including non-conjugate DP base priors. The model is applied to supermarket choices of a panel of Houston households whose shopping behavior was observed over a 24-month period in years 2004-2005. We estimate the nonparametric density of two key variables of interest: the price of a basket of goods based on scanner data, and driving distance to the supermarket based on their respective locations. Our semi-parametric approach allows us to identify a complex multi-modal preference distribution which distinguishes between inframarginal consumers and consumers who strongly value either lower prices or shopping convenience.Download Info
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Paper provided by Centre for Microdata Methods and Practice, Institute for Fiscal Studies in its series CeMMAP working papers with number CWP23/08.Length:
Date of creation: Aug 2008
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Handle: RePEc:ifs:cemmap:23/08
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Related research
Keywords:Other versions of this item:
- Burda, Martin & Harding, Matthew & Hausman, Jerry, 2008. "A Bayesian mixed logit-probit model for multinomial choice," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 147(2), pages 232-246, December.
- NEP-ALL-2009-04-05 (All new papers)
- NEP-DCM-2009-04-05 (Discrete Choice Models)
- NEP-ECM-2009-04-05 (Econometrics)
References
References listed on IDEASPlease report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
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Citations
Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.Cited by:
- Martin Burda & Artem Prokhorov, 2012.
"Copula Based Factorization in Bayesian Multivariate Infinite Mixture Models,"
Working Papers
12012, Concordia University, Department of Economics.
- Martin Burda & Artem Prokhorov, 2013. "Copula Based Factorization in Bayesian Multivariate Infinite Mixture Models," Working Papers tecipa-473, University of Toronto, Department of Economics.
- Steven T. Berry & Philip A. Haile, 2009.
"Nonparametric Identification of Multinomial Choice Demand Models with Heterogeneous Consumers,"
Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers
1718, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University, revised Mar 2010.
- Steven T. Berry & Philip A. Haile, 2009. "Nonparametric Identification of Multinomial Choice Demand Models with Heterogeneous Consumers," NBER Working Papers 15276, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
- Griffith, Rachel & Miller, Helen & O'Connell, Martin, 2011. "Corporate taxes and the location of intellectual property," CEPR Discussion Papers 8424, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
- Igor Prünster & Matteo Ruggiero, 2011. "A Bayesian nonparametric approach to modeling market share dynamics," Carlo Alberto Notebooks 217, Collegio Carlo Alberto.
- Patrick Bajari & Jeremy T. Fox & Kyoo il Kim & Stephen P. Ryan, 2009. "A Simple Nonparametric Estimator for the Distribution of Random Coefficients," NBER Working Papers 15210, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
- Kenneth L. Judd & Ben Skrainka, 2011. "High performance quadrature rules: how numerical integration affects a popular model of product differentiation," CeMMAP working papers CWP03/11, Centre for Microdata Methods and Practice, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
- Patricia Apps & Jan Kabátek & Ray Rees & Arthur van Soest, 2012. "Labor Supply Heterogeneity and Demand for Child Care of Mothers with Young Children," CEPR Discussion Papers 677, Centre for Economic Policy Research, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
- Apps, Patricia & Kabatek, Jan & Rees, Ray & van Soest, Arthur, 2012. "Labor Supply Heterogeneity and Demand for Child Care of Mothers with Young Children," IZA Discussion Papers 7007, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA).
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