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Inference on the value of a linear program

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  • Leonard Goff
  • Eric Mbakop

Abstract

This paper studies inference on the value of a linear program (LP) when both the objective function and constraints are possibly unknown and must be estimated from data. We show that many inference problems in partially identified models can be reformulated in this way. Building on Shapiro (1991) and Fang and Santos (2019), we develop a pointwise valid inference procedure for the value of an LP. We modify this pointwise inference procedure to construct one-sided inference procedures that are uniformly valid over large classes of data-generating processes. Our results provide alternative testing procedures for problems considered in Andrews et al. (2023), Cox and Shi (2023), and Fang et al. (2023) (in the low-dimensional case), and remain valid when key components--such as the coefficient matrix--are unknown and must be estimated. Moreover, our framework also accommodates inference on the identified set of a subvector, in models defined by linear moment inequalities, and does so under weaker constraint qualifications than those in Gafarov (2025).

Suggested Citation

  • Leonard Goff & Eric Mbakop, 2025. "Inference on the value of a linear program," Papers 2506.06776, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2025.
  • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2506.06776
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gafarov, Bulat, 2025. "Simple subvector inference on sharp identified set in affine models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 249(PB).
    2. Magne Mogstad & Andres Santos & Alexander Torgovitsky, 2017. "Using Instrumental Variables for Inference about Policy Relevant Treatment Effects," NBER Working Papers 23568, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Zheng Fang & Andres Santos & Azeem M. Shaikh & Alexander Torgovitsky, 2023. "Inference for Large‐Scale Linear Systems With Known Coefficients," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 91(1), pages 299-327, January.
    4. Donald W. K. Andrews, 2000. "Inconsistency of the Bootstrap when a Parameter Is on the Boundary of the Parameter Space," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 68(2), pages 399-406, March.
    5. JoonHwan Cho & Thomas M. Russell, 2024. "Simple Inference on Functionals of Set-Identified Parameters Defined by Linear Moments," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(2), pages 563-578, April.
    6. Gregory Cox & Xiaoxia Shi, 2023. "Simple Adaptive Size-Exact Testing for Full-Vector and Subvector Inference in Moment Inequality Models," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 90(1), pages 201-228.
    7. Christian N. Brinch & Magne Mogstad & Matthew Wiswall, 2017. "Beyond LATE with a Discrete Instrument," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 125(4), pages 985-1039.
    8. Federico A. Bugni & Ivan A. Canay & Xiaoxia Shi, 2017. "Inference for subvectors and other functions of partially identified parameters in moment inequality models," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 8(1), pages 1-38, March.
    9. Pascaline Dupas, 2014. "Short‐Run Subsidies and Long‐Run Adoption of New Health Products: Evidence From a Field Experiment," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 82(1), pages 197-228, January.
    10. Stephen M. Robinson, 1977. "A Characterization of Stability in Linear Programming," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 25(3), pages 435-447, June.
    11. Magne Mogstad & Andres Santos & Alexander Torgovitsky, 2018. "Using Instrumental Variables for Inference About Policy Relevant Treatment Parameters," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 86(5), pages 1589-1619, September.
    12. Imbens, Guido W & Angrist, Joshua D, 1994. "Identification and Estimation of Local Average Treatment Effects," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 62(2), pages 467-475, March.
    13. Andrei Voronin, 2025. "Linear programming approach to partially identified econometric models," Papers 2503.14940, arXiv.org.
    14. Donald W. K. Andrews & Gustavo Soares, 2010. "Inference for Parameters Defined by Moment Inequalities Using Generalized Moment Selection," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 78(1), pages 119-157, January.
    15. Edward Vytlacil, 2002. "Independence, Monotonicity, and Latent Index Models: An Equivalence Result," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 70(1), pages 331-341, January.
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