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Estimating the Derivative Function and Counterfactuals in Duration Models with Heterogeneity

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  • Jerry Hausman
  • Tiemen Woutersen

Abstract

This paper presents a new estimator for counterfactuals in duration models. The counterfactual in a duration model is the length of the spell in case the regressor would have been different. We introduce the structural duration function, which gives these counterfactuals. The advantage of focusing on counterfactuals is that one does not need to identify the mixed proportional hazard model. In particular, we present examples in which the mixed proportional hazard model is unidentified or has a singular information matrix but our estimator for counterfactuals still converges at rate N -super-1/2, where N is the number of observations. We apply the structural duration function to simulate important policy effects, including a change in welfare benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Jerry Hausman & Tiemen Woutersen, 2014. "Estimating the Derivative Function and Counterfactuals in Duration Models with Heterogeneity," Econometric Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(5-6), pages 472-496, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:emetrv:v:33:y:2014:i:5-6:p:472-496
    DOI: 10.1080/07474938.2013.825120
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    Cited by:

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    2. Lo Simon M.S. & Stephan Gesine & Wilke Ralf A., 2017. "Competing Risks Copula Models for Unemployment Duration: An Application to a German Hartz Reform," Journal of Econometric Methods, De Gruyter, vol. 6(1), pages 1-20, January.
    3. Wolter, James Lewis, 2016. "Kernel estimation of hazard functions when observations have dependent and common covariates," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 193(1), pages 1-16.

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