Research

22 pages, 493 KiB

Open AccessArticle

European Countries Ranking and Clustering Solution by Children’s Physical Activity and Human Development Index Using Entropy-Based Methods

by Aleksandras Krylovas, Natalja Kosareva and Stanislav Dadelo

Mathematics 2020, 8(10), 1705; https://doi.org/10.3390/math8101705 - 03 Oct 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2572

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to propose a new approach for evaluating and comparing European countries using indicators of the children physical activity and the human development index. The Global Matrix 3.0 on physical activity for children and youth and human [...] Read more.

The aim of the present study is to propose a new approach for evaluating and comparing European countries using indicators of the children physical activity and the human development index. The Global Matrix 3.0 on physical activity for children and youth and human development index data on the 18 European countries were used. MADM (multi-attribute decision making) approach was applied for this task. The criteria weights calculated by applying the weight balancing method—weight balancing indicator ranks accordance (WEBIRA). New methodology of interval entropy is proposed for determining the priority of criteria separately in each group. The novel approach of

α

-cuts for recursive procedure of ranking the alternatives was used. For comparison, three alternative entropy-based methods—entropy method for determining the criterion weight (EMDCW), method of criteria impact LOSs and determination of objective weights (CILOS) and integrated determination of objective criteria weights (IDOCRIW) were applied to address this MADM problem. Cluster analysis of European countries carried out using results obtained by all above methods. Comparison of the MADM methods revealed that three alternative methods assigned negligible values to whole group of criteria. Meanwhile, WEBIRA family methods performed the ranking of European countries according to the interrelation of the two groups of criteria in a balanced way. Thus, when addressing MADM tasks with two or more naturally related sets of criteria, it is appropriate to apply criteria adapted for that purpose, such as WEBIRA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Socio-Economic Systems)

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7 pages, 193 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Theory of Cognitive-Conditional Conservatism in Accounting

by Rodrigo de Oliveira Leite and Ricardo Lopes Cardoso

Mathematics 2020, 8(9), 1552; https://doi.org/10.3390/math8091552 - 10 Sep 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1743

Abstract

Literature from multiple fields in psychology and economics have identified that impulsive individuals are more prone to riskier behavior and are less conservative. Accounting literature has studied conservatism for many years, and demonstrated that there are two roots of conservatism, one unconditional and [...] Read more.

Literature from multiple fields in psychology and economics have identified that impulsive individuals are more prone to riskier behavior and are less conservative. Accounting literature has studied conservatism for many years, and demonstrated that there are two roots of conservatism, one unconditional and another conditional to news available at decision-making. However, there is no bridge linking both. Using an analytical model, we show that the conservatism level of an accountant is lower for impulsive individuals because of their reduced focus on future consequences of their decisions, which is coupled with an increased focus on present consequences. Hence, we put forward a theory of “cognitive-conditional conservatism”, that is, a third root of conservatism. Additionally, we also prove the asymmetry property of this behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Socio-Economic Systems)

20 pages, 7261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of the Kernel Density Function for the Analysis of Regional Growth and Convergence in the Service Sector through Productivity

by Ronny Correa-Quezada, Lucía Cueva-Rodríguez, José Álvarez-García and María de la Cruz del Río-Rama

Mathematics 2020, 8(8), 1234; https://doi.org/10.3390/math8081234 - 27 Jul 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2392

Abstract

The aim of this research work is to analyze growth and convergence processes in the service sector and its large groups, market, and non-market services, at the regional level in Ecuador by taking the labor productivity variable as a reference. The methodology used [...] Read more.

The aim of this research work is to analyze growth and convergence processes in the service sector and its large groups, market, and non-market services, at the regional level in Ecuador by taking the labor productivity variable as a reference. The methodology used is an analysis of distributive dynamics of the data, applying the non-parametric method of Kernel density functions from a mathematical economics approach. The results obtained show that the service sector has non-alarming levels of inequality, its trend over time is increasing. When disaggregating the data, it was observed that non-market services show a rapid growth in inequality. In contrast, market services show greater stability during the period analyzed. Regarding intra-distribution dynamics for the service sector and its subsectors, in the long term, poor regions improve, while rich regions deteriorate. However, deterioration of advanced regions is less intense in non-market services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Socio-Economic Systems)

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18 pages, 4528 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Considering Random Factors in Modeling Complex Microeconomic Systems

by Oksana Hoshovska, Zhanna Poplavska, Natalia Kryvinska and Natalia Horbal

Mathematics 2020, 8(8), 1206; https://doi.org/10.3390/math8081206 - 22 Jul 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2409

Abstract

Within the framework of a model describing real-functioning association of three enterprises, numerical calculations of economic dynamics parameters considering fluctuating market demand for the goods were performed. A methodology was suggested for approximated consideration of both seasonal and random demand fluctuations at the [...] Read more.

Within the framework of a model describing real-functioning association of three enterprises, numerical calculations of economic dynamics parameters considering fluctuating market demand for the goods were performed. A methodology was suggested for approximated consideration of both seasonal and random demand fluctuations at the market of textile garments; the main steps of the suggested methodology were described. The main exogenous random factors within this model include, as stated above, the volume of market demand for the goods produced by the enterprises of the group. The basic volume of market demand is considered at the average actual level according to the results of the enterprises’ analysis, and additionally we take into account the influence of non-price factors, such as random changes in the consumers’ tastes, consumers’ income, and other random factors on the market demand. By volume of market demand, we consider the total amount of goods produced by the enterprises of the group that all consumers are willing and able to purchase at a specific price in a marketplace. The calculations were made based on actual values of external economic parameters, such as labor cost, product prices, etc. Influence of the market demand fluctuations on the companies’ activity has been illustrated both numerically and graphically, allowing the analysis of the impact of exogenous parameters on the companies output and profits. The suggested approach creates a basis for further analysis of the impact of random factors of a similar nature, i.e., stochastic shocks related to the level of interest rates, shifts and turnabouts in the social environment, as well as the market transformations due to annual/seasonal epidemics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Socio-Economic Systems)

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14 pages, 710 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Citizens Affect the Performance of Their Elected Representatives? A Principal–Agent Model of Strategic Interaction in Democratic Systems

by Giuseppe Lanza, Dario Maimone Ansaldo Patti and Pietro Navarra

Mathematics 2020, 8(7), 1194; https://doi.org/10.3390/math8071194 - 21 Jul 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2068

Abstract

According to standard economic theory, human beings are expected to work more and better when benefits in the form of lower costs or higher reward increase. Principal–agent theory applied to the theory of the firm relies on this relationship and states that employees [...] Read more.

According to standard economic theory, human beings are expected to work more and better when benefits in the form of lower costs or higher reward increase. Principal–agent theory applied to the theory of the firm relies on this relationship and states that employees should be paid according to how well they perform their tasks. In this framework, monitoring devices are introduced to control employees’ performance and determine salaries. In this paper we construct a principal–agent model to describe the relationship between citizens/voters and elected representatives in which monitoring devices are introduced to control the performance of the latter. We demonstrate that tighter controls may produce better performance but also may produce a reduction in the intrinsic motivations of elected representatives, resulting in a reduction of their work effort. These results are interpreted in the light of the motivation crowding theory. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Socio-Economic Systems)

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19 pages, 2135 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Two-Regime Markov-Switching GARCH Active Trading Algorithm for Coffee, Cocoa, and Sugar Futures

by Oscar V. De la Torre-Torres, Dora Aguilasocho-Montoya and María de la Cruz del Río-Rama

Mathematics 2020, 8(6), 1001; https://doi.org/10.3390/math8061001 - 18 Jun 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3864

Abstract

In the present paper we tested the use of Markov-switching Generalized AutoRegressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (MS-GARCH) models and their not generalized (MS-ARCH) version. This, for active trading decisions in the coffee, cocoa, and sugar future markets. With weekly data from 7 January 2000 to [...] Read more.

In the present paper we tested the use of Markov-switching Generalized AutoRegressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (MS-GARCH) models and their not generalized (MS-ARCH) version. This, for active trading decisions in the coffee, cocoa, and sugar future markets. With weekly data from 7 January 2000 to 3 April 2020, we simulated the performance that a futures’ trader would have had, had she used the next trading algorithm: To invest in the security if the probability of being in a distress regime is less or equal to 50% or to invest in the U.S. three-month Treasury bill otherwise. Our results suggest that the use of t-student Markov Switching Component ARCH Model (MS-ARCH) models is appropriate for active trading in the cocoa futures and the Gaussian MS-GARCH is appropriate for sugar. For the specific case of the coffee market, we did not find evidence in favor of the use of MS-GARCH models. This is so by the fact that the trading algorithm led to inaccurate trading signs. Our results are of potential use for futures’ position traders or portfolio managers who want a quantitative trading algorithm for active trading in these commodity futures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Socio-Economic Systems)

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21 pages, 1437 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parameter Estimation and Measurement of Social Inequality in a Kinetic Model for Wealth Distribution

by Bruno Adolfo Buffa, Damián Knopoff and Germán Torres

Mathematics 2020, 8(5), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/math8050786 - 13 May 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2007

Abstract

This paper deals with the modeling of wealth distribution considering a society with non-constant population and non-conservative wealth trades. The modeling approach is based on the kinetic theory of active particles, where individuals are distinguished by a scalar variable (the activity) which expresses [...] Read more.

This paper deals with the modeling of wealth distribution considering a society with non-constant population and non-conservative wealth trades. The modeling approach is based on the kinetic theory of active particles, where individuals are distinguished by a scalar variable (the activity) which expresses their social state. A qualitative analysis of the model focusing on asymptotic behaviors and measurement of inequality through the Gini coefficient is presented. Finally, some specific case-studies are proposed in order to carry out numerical experiments to validate our model, characterize societies and investigate emerging behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Socio-Economic Systems)

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26 pages, 590 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dominance-Based Decision Rules for Pension Fund Selection under Different Distributional Assumptions

by Audrius Kabašinskas, Kristina Šutienė, Miloš Kopa, Kęstutis Lukšys and Kazimieras Bagdonas

Mathematics 2020, 8(5), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/math8050719 - 04 May 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2129

Abstract

The pension landscape is changing due to the market situation, and technological change has enabled financial innovations. Pension savers usually seek financial advice to make a personalised decision in selecting the right pension fund for them. As such, decision rules based on the [...] Read more.

The pension landscape is changing due to the market situation, and technological change has enabled financial innovations. Pension savers usually seek financial advice to make a personalised decision in selecting the right pension fund for them. As such, decision rules based on the assumed risk profile of the decision maker could be generated by making use of stochastic dominance (SD). In the paper, the second-pillar pension funds operating in Lithuania and Slovakia are analysed according to SD rules. The importance of the distributional assumption is explored while comparing the results of empirical, student-t, Hyperbolic and Normal Inverse Gaussian distributions to generate SD-based rules that could be integrated into an advisory solution. Moreover, due to the differences in SD results under different distributional assumptions, a new SD ratio is proposed that condenses the dominance-based relations for all considered dominance orders and probability distributions. The empirical results indicate that this new SD ratio efficiently characterises not only the preference of each fund individually but also of a group of funds with the same attributes, thus enabling multi-risk and multi-country comparisons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Socio-Economic Systems)

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14 pages, 337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling Asymmetric Interactions in Economy

by Mirosław Lachowicz and Henryk Leszczyński

Mathematics 2020, 8(4), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/math8040523 - 03 Apr 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1513

Abstract

We consider a general nonlinear kinetic type equation that can describe the time evolution of a variable related to an economical state of an individual agent of the system. We assume asymmetric interactions between the agents. We show that in a corresponding limit, [...] Read more.

We consider a general nonlinear kinetic type equation that can describe the time evolution of a variable related to an economical state of an individual agent of the system. We assume asymmetric interactions between the agents. We show that in a corresponding limit, it is asymptotically equivalent to a nonlinear inviscid Burgers type equation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Socio-Economic Systems)

10 pages, 285 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling the Relation between Managers, Shadow Cost of External Finance and Corporate Investment

by Alfonsina Iona

Mathematics 2019, 7(11), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7111050 - 04 Nov 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2129

Abstract

This paper provides a theoretical framework for studying the impact of self-interested managers on the level of corporate investment. I extend the standard neoclassical model of firm value maximization to incorporate the effect of misaligned managers on corporate investment via a firm’s profit, [...] Read more.

This paper provides a theoretical framework for studying the impact of self-interested managers on the level of corporate investment. I extend the standard neoclassical model of firm value maximization to incorporate the effect of misaligned managers on corporate investment via a firm’s profit, adjustment costs of capital and shadow cost of external finance. Under some assumptions, commonly made by the relevant literature, the model shows that the intensity of agency conflicts between misaligned managers and outside shareholders affects a firm’s investment decisions generating either under or overinvestment with respect to a perfect capital market and driving a higher cost of external finance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Socio-Economic Systems)

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12 pages, 253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bureaucratic Reshuffling and Efficiency: Do n-Competing Bureaus Determine Inefficient Results?

by Elton Beqiraj, Silvia Fedeli and Massimiliano Tancioni

Mathematics 2019, 7(10), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7100998 - 21 Oct 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1872

Abstract

Governments often support their preferences for decentralised (centralised) bureaucracies on the grounds of efficiency considerations (production side). Here, we consider the demand side, i.e., whether the government perception of citizens’ demand for differentiated goods/services might increase efficiency by simply reshuffling bureaucratic production activities. [...] Read more.

Governments often support their preferences for decentralised (centralised) bureaucracies on the grounds of efficiency considerations (production side). Here, we consider the demand side, i.e., whether the government perception of citizens’ demand for differentiated goods/services might increase efficiency by simply reshuffling bureaucratic production activities. We represent the budgetary process—between an incumbent governing party and n-competing bureaus producing differentiated goods/services—as a simultaneous Nash-compliance game with complete information. On these grounds, we analyse—in terms of public production, players’ rents and payoffs—the effects of increasing competition (as for the number of bureaus) in the political–bureaucratic market. Moreover, we evaluate, ceteris paribus, the effects of bureaucratic reshuffling from the point of view of society, assumed to prefer those policies that approximate social efficiency by minimising bureaucratic and political rents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling of Socio-Economic Systems)

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