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Mimic Model: A Tool to Estimate the Shadow Economy

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  • Brunela Trebicka

Abstract

Formal economy affects the Shadow economy. This is the reason why the study of shadow economy has attracted a lot of attention of academics and policy makers in recent years. Often, multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) models is applied to time series data to estimate the size and development of the shadow economy for a particular site. This model gives us information about the relationship between cause and indicator variables and a latent variable, here the shadow economy, from covariance structures. Like most macroeconomic variables do not satisfy stationary, long run information is lost when employing first differences. Perhaps, this shortcoming is rooted in the lack of a suitable MIMIC model which considers cointegration among the variables. This paper presents the MIMIC model as an econometric model and then shows how these model coefficients are calculated. The paper also presents the connection that exists between the formal and the shadow economy. Using this model we will be demonstrating that this approach allows the applicant to obtain accurate estimates regarding the size of shadow economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Brunela Trebicka, 2014. "Mimic Model: A Tool to Estimate the Shadow Economy," Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Richtmann Publishing Ltd, vol. 3, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bjz:ajisjr:928
    DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n6p295
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Feige, Edgar L., 1990. "Defining and estimating underground and informal economies: The new institutional economics approach," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 18(7), pages 989-1002, July.
    2. Schneider, Friedrich, 2005. "Shadow economies around the world: what do we really know?," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 598-642, September.
    3. Renzo Orsi & Davide Raggi & Francesco Turino, 2014. "Size, Trend, and Policy Implications of the Underground Economy," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 17(3), pages 417-436, July.
    4. Elgin, Ceyhun, 2013. "Internet usage and the shadow economy: Evidence from panel data," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 111-121.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Shahroo Malik & Harald Oberhofer & Jordi Paniagua, 2026. "Informal Economy and Trade in the Agricultural Sector," CESifo Working Paper Series 12509, CESifo.
    3. Sanvi Avouyi-Dovi & Lorraine Chouteau & Lucas Devigne & Emmanuelle Politronacci, 2023. "Shadow Economy in France: What Factors Matter?," Revue d'économie politique, Dalloz, vol. 133(3), pages 453-494.
    4. Awadh Ahmed Mohammed Gamal & Jauhari Dahalan & K. Kuperan Viswanathan, 2019. "Estimating the underground economy, illegal money and tax evasion in Qatar," Journal of Financial Crime, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 26(4), pages 1048-1064, October.

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