In many situations the applied researcher wants to combine different data sources without knowing the exact link and merging rule. This paper introduces a theoretical framework how two different regional administrative data sources can be merged. It presents different merging schemes based on the area size of intersections between both regional entities. Estimates of intersection areas are derived from a digital map intersection. The theoretical framework derives conditions for the unbiasedness of estimated intersections and merging rules. The paper also presents conditions under which the choice of merging rule does not matter and illustrates the theoretical results with a simulation study. An application to German counties and federal employment office districts illustrates the applicability of the approach. It delivers merging schemes for regional data sources of the federal German statistical office and of the federal German employment office. --
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Paper provided by ZEW - Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung / Center for European Economic Research in its series ZEW Discussion Papers with number
05-20.
Find related papers by JEL classification: C89 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Other C49 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Other R10 - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General
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