Showing papers by "Paris West University Nanterre La Défense published in 2014"

Enforcement vs Deterrence in Merger Control: Can Remedies Lead to Lower Welfare?

Abstract: This paper deals with the enforcement of merger policy, and aims to identify situations where the introduction of remedies can lead to a lower welfare. For this we study how merger remedies affect the deterrence accomplished by controlling mergers, and determine the optimal frequency of investigations launched by the agency. We find that when conditional approvals are possible, it may be harder to deter the most welfare-detrimental mergers, and the agency might have to investigate mergers more often. The resulting welfare from merger control can indeed be lower than without remedies.

Graduated Response Policy and the Behavior of Digital Pirates: Evidence from the French Three-strike (Hadopi) Law

Abstract: Most developed countries have tried to restrain digital piracy by strengthening laws against copyright infringement. In 2009, France implemented the Hadopi law. Under this law individuals receive a warning the rst two times they are detected illegally sharing content through peer to peer (P2P) networks. Legal action is only taken when a third violation is detected. We analyze the impact of this law on individual behavior. Our theoretical model of illegal behavior under a graduated response law predicts that the perceived probability of detection has no impact on the decision to initially engage in digital piracy, but may reduce the intensity of illegal le sharing by those who do pirate. We test the theory using survey data from French Internet users. Our econometric results indicate that the law has no substantial deterrent eect. In addition, we

Targeted Covariate-Adjusted Response-Adaptive LASSO-Based Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract: We present a new covariate-adjusted response-adaptive randomized controlled trial design and inferential procedure built on top of it. The procedure is targeted in the sense that {\em (i)} the sequence of randomization schemes is group-sequentially determined by targeting a user-specified optimal randomization design based on accruing data and, {\em (ii)} our estimator of the user-specified parameter of interest, seen as the value of a functional evaluated at the true, unknown distribution of the data, is targeted toward it by following the paradigm of targeted minimum loss estimation. We focus for clarity on the case that the parameter of interest is the marginal effect of a binary treatment and that the targeted optimal design is the Neyman allocation, in an effort to produce an estimator with smaller asymptotic variance. For clarity too, we consider the case that the estimator of the conditional outcome given treatment and baseline covariates, a key element of the procedure, is obtained by LASSO regression. Under mild assumptions, the resulting sequence of randomization schemes converges to a limiting design, and the TMLE estimator is consistent and asymptotically Gaussian. Its asymptotic variance can be estimated too. Thus we can build valid confidence intervals of given asymptotic levels. A simulation study confirms our theoretical results.

Oil price and financial markets: Multivariate dynamic frequency analysis

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to study the degree of interdependence between oil price and stock market index into two groups of countries: oil-importers and oil-exporters. To this end, we propose a new empirical methodology allowing a time-varying dynamic correlation measure between the stock market index and the oil price series. We use the frequency approach proposed by Priestley and Tong (1973), that is the evolutionary co-spectral analysis. This method allows us to distinguish between short-run and medium-run dependence. In order to complete our study by analysing long-run dependence, we use the cointegration procedure developed by Engle and Granger (1987). We find that interdependence between the oil price and the stock market is stronger in exporters׳ markets than in the importers׳ ones.

The Price of Media Capture and the Debasement of the French Newspaper Industry During the Interwar

Abstract: Measurement of the value of “media capture” (the control of newspapers by business or political interests) is difficult. However, if capture is valuable, it should affect the price of newspaper shares. Useful information about the value of media capture should be retrievable from Stock Exchange data. Interwar France provides a unique setting to implement this idea because key newspapers floated voting and nonvoting stocks. Combined with takeover prices, data yield estimates of the price of media capture and of the time-series evolution of this price. Comparison with Britain sheds new light on a dark episode of French history.

Students' satisfaction with their university accommodation

Abstract: There has been little research on students' satisfaction with the spaces making up their university accommodation. Our study takes a systemic perspective whereby the university accommodation can only be seen within a broader environment, namely the neighbourhood, to (a) compare students' satisfaction with their university accommodation according to its location (town centre, out-of-town campus), and (b) identify the socio-demographic, residential and personal variables, which could predict this residential satisfaction. A questionnaire was completed by 124 students living in France, identifying their satisfaction with various spaces making up their accommodation, together with the "Interpersonal relationships" sub-scale of the French version of the university residence environment scale (Moos, 1988). The results show that the reasons for satisfaction (vs non-satisfaction) differ according to the location of the accommodation and that satisfaction with communal areas is a highly significant predictor of satisfaction with both types of accommodation, thus confirming that students look for a place to live which provides opportunities for social interaction, and not just a roof over their heads.

The Impact of Internal Migration on Local Labour Markets in Thailand

Abstract: We estimate the impact of internal migration on local labour markets in Thailand.Using an instrumental variable approach based on weather and distance we estimate an exogenous measure of the net migration in ow into each region. Our results show that instrumenting for the possible endogeneity of net inward migration is crucial to the analysis. The results suggest substantial adjustments in hours worked and weekly wages in response to short term changes in labour supply for low skilled males. We find no effect on high skilled workers. A theoretical section shows that a reduction in hours per worker in response to an increase in inward migration is consistent with the predictions of a standard search model.

Universality for one-dimensional hierarchical coalescence processes with double and triple merges.

Abstract: We consider one-dimensional hierarchical coalescence processes (in short HCPs) where two or three neighboring domains can merge. An HCP consists of an infinite sequence of stochastic coalescence processes: each process occurs in a different “epoch” and evolves for an infinite time, while the evolutions in subsequent epochs are linked in such a way that the initial distribution of epoch $n+1$ coincides with the final distribution of epoch $n$. Inside each epoch a domain can incorporate one of its neighboring domains or both of them if its length belongs to a certain epoch-dependent finite range. Assuming that the distribution at the beginning of the first epoch is described by a renewal simple point process, we prove limit theorems for the domain length and for the position of the leftmost point (if any). Our analysis extends the results obtained in [Ann. Probab. 40 (2012) 1377–1435] to a larger family of models, including relevant examples from the physics literature [Europhys. Lett. 27 (1994) 175–180, Phys. Rev. E (3) 68 (2003) 031504]. It reveals the presence of a common abstract structure behind models which are apparently very different, thus leading to very similar limit theorems. Finally, we give here a full characterization of the infinitesimal generator for the dynamics inside each epoch, thus allowing us to describe the time evolution of the expected value of regular observables in terms of an ordinary differential equation.

Development and validation of the Cancer Exercise Stereotypes Scale.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop and validate a French-language questionnaire measuring stereotypes related to exercise in cancer patients: The Cancer Exercise Stereotypes Scale (CESS). Four successive steps were carried out with 806 participants. First, a preliminary version was developed on the basis of the relevant literature and qualitative interviews. A test of clarity then led to the reformulation of six of the 30 items. Second, based on the modification indices of the first confirmatory factorial analysis, 11 of the 30 initial items were deleted. A new factorial structure analysis showed a good fit and validated a 19-item instrument with five subscales. Third, the stability of the instrument was tested over time. Last, tests of construct validity were conducted to examine convergent validity and discriminant validity. The French-language CESS appears to have good psychometric qualities and can be used to test theoretical tenets and inform intervention strategies on ways to foster exercise in cancer patients.

Acting translation: Ritual and prophetism in twenty-first-century indigenous Amazonia

Abstract: This paper focuses on a prophetic movement led by an Amerindian from Mato Grosso, Brazil, in 2006. This man created a radically new liturgy and cosmology by combining elements borrowed from local shamanism and mythology, Christianity and TV shows, among other sources. He managed to convince entire villages to take part in spectacular healing ceremonies and gathered a huge number of followers. One of these ceremonies was extensively filmed by indigenous filmmakers, making it possible to examine the micromechanisms of this cultural innovation, and thus address with fresh data and a new approach the old issue of Amerindian prophetism. We propose here the concept of translating acts to describe this indigenous practice of transcreation, giving special attention to the multiple semiotic mediums through which it is enacted.

Child Mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: Why Public Health Spending Matters

Abstract: Since 2000, child mortality has dramatically decreased in Africa. Based on an econometrical analysis over 45 sub-Saharan African countries, this paper analyses the determinants of such evolution, and shows that urbanization, sanitation improvement and GDP growth per capita played a critical role in this overall improvement over 2000-2011. The increase in public health expenditures proved to be also decisive, though the elasticity with mortality rate is much weaker. Reaching the Abuja target of 15% of public health expenditure in total public expenditures would have decreased the under-5 child mortality rate by 9% over 2001-2011. It could further reduce this rate by 14% over 2012-2021, and allow Africa to save 19.8 million of children lives. It would also help the region to achieve the Millennium Development Goal on child mortality (reduce by two thirds under-5 child mortality over 1990-2015) by 2022-23, while it would not be reached before 2027 otherwise, according to our estimates.

Does firm creation depend on local context? A focus on the neighbouring effects

Abstract: This paper seeks to shed some light on the influence that the characteristics of the local context in a given area and in adjacent ones exert on the entrepreneurial process. In order to make a distinction between the purely local factors and the role played by the neighbourhood, we mobilize the so-called Exploratory spatial data analysis which determines the degree of spatial dependence and its consequence on entry rate. We empirically address this question by considering the case of French employment areas from 2006 to 2010 using spatial econometric models adapted to panel data. Our results show that financial, material, human and organisational resources locally available are far from being the unique geographical determinants of firm creation. Instead, the entry rate in a given area also strongly depends on the propensity to create firms in the adjacent places. Spillover effects taking their origin in adjacent areas should thus be considered in explaining the local determinants of firm creation.

Estimating the scaling function of multifractal measures and multifractal random walks using ratios

Abstract: In this paper, we prove central limit theorems for bias reduced estimators of the structure function of several multifractal processes, namely mutiplicative cascades, multifractal random measures, multifractal random walk and multifractal fractional random walk as defined by Ludena [Ann. Appl. Probab. 18 (2008) 1138–1163]. Previous estimators of the structure functions considered in the literature were severely biased with a logarithmic rate of convergence, whereas the estimators considered here have a polynomial rate of convergence.

A Pathwise Fractional one Compartment Intra-Veinous Bolus Model

Abstract: To extend the deterministic compartments pharmacokinetics models as diffusions seems not realistic on the biological side because the paths of these stochastic processes are not smooth enough. In order to extend the one compartment intra-veinous bolus models, this paper suggests to model the concentration process $C$ by a class of stochastic differential equations driven by a fractional Brownian motion of Hurst parameter belonging to $]1/2,1[$. The first part of the paper provides probabilistic and statistical results on the concentration process $C$: the distribution of $C$, a control of the uniform distance between $C$ and the solution of the associated ordinary differential equation, and consistent estimators of the elimination constant, of the Hurst parameter of the driving signal, and of the volatility constant. The second part of the paper provides applications of these theoretical results on simulated concentrations: a method to choose the parameters on small sets of observations, and simulations of the estimators of the elimination constant and of the Hurst parameter of the driving signal. The relationship between the quality of the estimations and the size/length of the sample is discussed.

To be a Mother, or not to be? Career and Wage Ladder in Italy and the UK

Abstract: This paper examines the extent to which motherhood affects women's career accomplishments and wages in Italy and the UK. Using the EU-SILC 2009 data, a decomposition of the motherhood wage gap is implemented after accounting for double selection in labor market participation and motherhood. We find evidence of a negative correlation between labor market and fertility decisions. The results show that motherhood has no adverse effects on women's career path in Italy, and that job segregation explains most of the motherhood wage gap in the UK. Empirical findings suggest that the timing of motherhood and job continuity affect significantly the female wage profile.

On the effectiveness of devaluations in emerging and developing countries

Abstract: In this paper, we address the issue of devaluations' effectiveness by investigating to what extent a nominal devaluation leads to a real depreciation. Beyond the traditional factors identified by the literature, we pay particular attention to the size of the nominal devaluation and to the initial misalignment of the real exchange rate. Using a sample of 57 devaluation episodes (in 40 developing and emerging countries) and relying on panel data techniques, we evidence that the existence of a sizeable overvaluation of the real exchange rate is a prerequisite to ensure that nominal devaluations will have an expected effect in terms of real depreciations. Furthermore, our results put forward a potential nonlinear relationship between the size of the devaluation and the effectiveness of the nominal adjustment: devaluations operate more efficiently when the magnitude of the nominal adjustment is lower.

Adaptive Composition and QoS Optimization of Conversational Services through Graph Planning Encoding

Abstract: Service-Oriented Computing supports description, publication, discovery, composition of services as well as QoS optimization of service composition to fulfil end-user needs. Yet, service composition processes commonly assume that service descriptions and user needs share the same abstraction level, and that services have been pre-designed to integrate. To release these strong assumptions and to augment the possibilities of composition, we add adaptation features into the service composition process using semantic structures for exchanged data, for service functionalities, and for user needs. Graph planning encodings enable us to retrieve service compositions efficiently. Our composition technique supports conversations for both services and user needs, and it is fully automated and can interact with state-of-the-art graph planning tools. In addition to service composition, QoS optimization aims at satisfying end-user needs about quality requirements. However, most existing work on QoS optimization is studied on the assumption that services are stateless. To obtain a solution with the best QoS value, we propose a QoS-aware service composition method to achieve QoS optimization during the adaptive composition over conversational services. An example is given as a preliminary proof of our QoS-aware service composition method.

The economic behaviour of doctors: medical altruism without an ethic?

Abstract: Health economics appears to have difficulty in taking medical ethics into consideration because of the standard figure of homo economicus. In main stream economics, the ethical attitude of a physician is then formalized in terms of “medical altruism”. This paper seeks to highlight the advantages and the contradictions of this medical altruism. We can identify several levels of problems raised by this medical altruism: theoretical paradoxes and economic policy problems for the regulator. The interest of the concept of medical altruism is to save or improve the economic theory with a more realistic assumption. However, if this assumption is more realistic, it induces paradoxes of economic theory. The misfortune for economists is that this theoretical inconstancy is lined with economic policy issues. These remain unresolved and we do not know what to do. In conclusion, we think that it becomes crucial to consider seriously medical ethics.

Female Labour Supply in the Czech Transition: Effects of the Work-Life Conciliation Policies

Abstract: Czech conciliation policies, i.e. social, family and employment policies affecting households’ fertility and employment choices, have gone through dramatic changes since the 1989 transition to market economy. After a brief presentation of conciliation policies and practices before and after the transition, we focus on the 1995 Czech Parental Benefit reform and we evaluate its impact on mothers’ labour supply. The payment of parental benefits was extended to 4 years instead of 3 without an equivalent extension of the job protected parental leave, leaving to mothers the choice of either guaranteed employment or additional twelve months of benefits. We use difference-in-differences strategy of identification to assess the net effect of this reform on mother’s labour market participation. We find a sizeable and negative impact on mothers’ probability of return to work at the end of the parental leave.

Towards a Clean Vehicle Fleet: from Households’ Valuation of Fuel Efficiency to Policy Implications

Abstract: This paper investigates household behaviour with regard to vehicle fuel efficiency. We propose to approach the Willingness to Pay (WTP) for better fuel efficiency through the Hicksian compensating variation in income. Specifically, we distinguish the Willingness to Pay or to Accept (WTA) buying a more fuel-efficient car from the theoretical WTP for a reduction in fuel consumption without changing one’s car. Then by assuming that the household has to replace its car, we estimate a WTP for the cleanest car. We also analyse what effect a fuel tax and/or a feebate scheme (e.g. a bonus-malus scheme) have on the WTP for the cleanest car and on the driven mileage. We find that the WTP for the cleanest car decreases following the implementation of a fuel tax. To the contrary, a feebate system leads to an increase in this WTP. But we also find that reducing the market price of the new vehicle (i.e. through a bonus) is not worthwhile in the light of the rebound effect. However, a fuel tax – as soon as it exceeds a certain level – is able to nullify the rebound effect.

On the information and communication technologies - productivity nexus: a long-lasting adjustment period

Abstract: This paper investigates the relationship between Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and productivity within 240 industries from 8 OECD countries. Specifically, it aims at providing explanations for the coexistence of this strong technological evolution together with the absence of break in the productivity trend during the last decades. We calculate the total factor productivity changes and their components (technical progress and pure efficiency changes) over the period 1973-2005 using the Malmquist productivity index and we then relate these measures with data on ICT diffusion using regression trees. Our results suggest that ICT diffusion is accompanied by opposite movements that conceal the potential of these technologies. Indeed, we find evidence of a clearly identifiable positive relationship between computerization and technical progress, while ICT diffusion negatively affects pure efficiency changes. Our findings support the existence of an adjustment period and are consistent with the fact that the economies under consideration are still in a phase of adaptation.

Crowdsourcing as Tools for Launching a Wikibrand. The Case of Ligury: a Wikibrand for a Wikidestination

Abstract: The FLIRT (Focus, Language, Incentives, Rules and Tools) model of Crowdsourcing building upon Viitamaki and updated by Moffitt and Dover, permits to develop models allowing to highlight the contribution of the customers / population in the development and improvement of new brands set up by the companies. Thus, these models were used to build a wikibrand relying on a community highly involved in the process of value creation and success of products. Interested in the region of Ligury in Italy, the objective of this paper is to verify how Moffit's model can be used in the context of territorial marketing as a tool of wiki destination.

Existential anthropology: what could it be? An interpretation of Heidegger

Abstract: Based on an interpretation of the work of martin Heidegger, this article offers a shift away from social and cultural anthropology, which explores sociocultural aspects, and also from general anthropology, which aims to summarise all dimensions of human being. the author defines the specificity of existential anthropology: observing and conceiving human beings as they exist and continue to exist towards death. With a few twists in relation to Heidegger’s thought, the author discusses what is theoretically and methodologically at stake in this per‑ spective, opening existential anthropology to a large empirical field.