B1894 - Econometrics for Management

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with a theoretical and practical knowledge of methods for conducting empirical research on panel data. Nowadays, panel data form the basis of much applied work in economics and management. The course is therefore designed to help students critically understand empirical articles and conduct their own empirical research. During the practical sessions, data samples and econometric software will be used to estimate models. This approach facilitates an understanding of the theoretical aspects of panel data and class discussion on the interpretation of the results obtained.

Course contents

The schedule of the program goes along the following points:

1. A recap of basic econometrics
2. Introduction to panel data; longitudinal data, cross-section time-series data, multilevel data.
3. The fundamental role of heterogeneity: how to deal with it.
4. Static and linear panel data models: two or more levels, the error components.
5. Estimation methods: Pooled OLS; fixed and random effects; between effects; first differences.

Clearly there are necessary prerequisities, specifically for Erasmus students:

1. At this page take a look at the content of Business Statistics and Econometrics courses.

2. A knowledge, at least basic, of STATA software is also required

 

Readings/Bibliography

The material (articles, commented notes & slides, Stata scripts and data-sets) will be distributed during the lectures and make available on the platform Virtuale.

The textbook is Wooldridge J.M. 2020 Introductory Econometrics. A Modern Approach, Cengage, 7th Edition, Ch 13-14;
A preliminary look at chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 could be a useful recap of the required basic econometrics.

Why programming in Stata? Have a look at Cox N. J. (2001) Speaking Stata: How to repeat yourself without going mad, The Stata Journal, 1, Number 1, pp. 86–97.

 

 

Teaching methods

To ensure a smooth transition from theory to practice in panel data econometrics, theoretical lectures are combined with working sessions. During the practical empirical applications, you will use the computer and Stata econometric software (available with a CAMPUS licence and your university credentials).
At the end of the course, you will be able to critically evaluate articles that present basic empirical analyses on panel data and to model and estimate your own regression of interest, using the most appropriate methods according to the problem you face.

Assessment methods

attending students: some homework will be assigned during the course. These ‘exercises’ are intended to reinforce the concepts covered in class, to replicate, using new data, the empirical analyses/guided exercises carried out together in class, to familiarise you with the software (which is a professional tool) and, above all, to understand how to interpret the results, i.e. how to prepare for the individual exam. Students can work alone or in groups of up to 4 participants. Overall, homework accounts for 40% of the final grade.

The remaining 60% of the grade will be individual, through a final exam to be taken in class, after registering on AlmaEsami. The final exam will take place on the EOL platform, where you will find a STATA output with questions about the results, which you will have to answer with your comments and considerations. Your ability to interpret will obviously be strengthened by having done the homework.

Non-attending students will be assessed only on the individual exam and must be prepared on the entire course programme, which can be consulted on Virtuale.

The final grade may be:
30L excellent work!
28-30: independent knowledge and skills leading to good understanding and analytical ability.
24-27: the degree of independent knowledge is appreciable
18-23: rather random answers, lacking structure or logical order, with theoretical and methodological inaccuracies.
<18: incorrect, copied or missing answers

Teaching tools

Theoretical lectures are associated with working sessions; during them you will receive the suggestions needed to run your own empirical analysis. The data-sets and the programming files to perfom applied analyses will be provided during the lectures. The distributed material will be make available on the Virtuale platform. A virtual room on TEAMS will be available in case you cannot physically attend a lecture and to communicate via chat.

Software STATA: click here

 

Office hours

See the website of Maria Elena Bontempi