IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/compec/v58y2021i4d10.1007_s10614-020-09995-z.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Implementing Convex Optimization in R: Two Econometric Examples

Author

Listed:
  • Zhan Gao

    (University of Southern California)

  • Zhentao Shi

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

Economists specify high-dimensional models to address heterogeneity in empirical studies with complex big data. Estimation of these models calls for optimization techniques to handle a large number of parameters. Convex problems can be effectively executed in modern programming languages. We complement Koenker and Mizera (J Stat Softw 60(5):1–23, 2014)’s work on numerical implementation of convex optimization, with focus on high-dimensional econometric estimators. Combining R and the convex solver MOSEK achieves speed gain and accuracy, demonstrated by examples from Su et al. (Econometrica 84(6):2215–2264, 2016) and Shi (J Econom 195(1):104–119, 2016). Robust performance of convex optimization is witnessed across platforms. The convenience and reliability of convex optimization in R make it easy to turn new ideas into executable estimators.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhan Gao & Zhentao Shi, 2021. "Implementing Convex Optimization in R: Two Econometric Examples," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 58(4), pages 1127-1135, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:compec:v:58:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s10614-020-09995-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10614-020-09995-z
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10614-020-09995-z
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10614-020-09995-z?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to look for a different version below or search for a different version of it.

    Other versions of this item:

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hansen, Lars Peter, 1982. "Large Sample Properties of Generalized Method of Moments Estimators," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 50(4), pages 1029-1054, July.
    2. Stéphane Bonhomme & Elena Manresa, 2015. "Grouped Patterns of Heterogeneity in Panel Data," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 83(3), pages 1147-1184, May.
    3. Xun Lu & Liangjun Su, 2017. "Determining the number of groups in latent panel structures with an application to income and democracy," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 8(3), pages 729-760, November.
    4. Liangjun Su & Zhentao Shi & Peter C. B. Phillips, 2016. "Identifying Latent Structures in Panel Data," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 84, pages 2215-2264, November.
    5. Nikolay Doudchenko & Guido W. Imbens, 2016. "Balancing, Regression, Difference-In-Differences and Synthetic Control Methods: A Synthesis," NBER Working Papers 22791, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Liangjun Su & Xia Wang & Sainan Jin, 2019. "Sieve Estimation of Time-Varying Panel Data Models With Latent Structures," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(2), pages 334-349, April.
    7. Shi, Zhentao, 2016. "Econometric estimation with high-dimensional moment equalities," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 195(1), pages 104-119.
    8. Jiaying Gu & Roger Koenker, 2017. "Empirical Bayesball Remixed: Empirical Bayes Methods for Longitudinal Data," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 575-599, April.
    9. Patrick Bajari & Denis Nekipelov & Stephen P. Ryan & Miaoyu Yang, 2015. "Machine Learning Methods for Demand Estimation," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 105(5), pages 481-485, May.
    10. Koenker, Roger W & Bassett, Gilbert, Jr, 1978. "Regression Quantiles," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 46(1), pages 33-50, January.
    11. Su, Liangjun & Ju, Gaosheng, 2018. "Identifying latent grouped patterns in panel data models with interactive fixed effects," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 206(2), pages 554-573.
    12. Koenker, Roger & Mizera, Ivan, 2014. "Convex Optimization in R," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 60(i05).
    13. Nash, John C. & Varadhan, Ravi, 2011. "Unifying Optimization Algorithms to Aid Software System Users: optimx for R," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 43(i09).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Miao, Ke & Su, Liangjun & Wang, Wendun, 2020. "Panel threshold regressions with latent group structures," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 214(2), pages 451-481.
    2. Wang, Wuyi & Su, Liangjun, 2021. "Identifying latent group structures in nonlinear panels," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 220(2), pages 272-295.
    3. Liu, Ruiqi & Shang, Zuofeng & Zhang, Yonghui & Zhou, Qiankun, 2020. "Identification and estimation in panel models with overspecified number of groups," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 215(2), pages 574-590.
    4. Wang, Yiren & Phillips, Peter C.B. & Su, Liangjun, 2024. "Panel data models with time-varying latent group structures," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 240(1).
    5. Huang, Wenxin & Jin, Sainan & Phillips, Peter C.B. & Su, Liangjun, 2021. "Nonstationary panel models with latent group structures and cross-section dependence," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 221(1), pages 198-222.
    6. Mehrabani, Ali, 2023. "Estimation and identification of latent group structures in panel data," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 235(2), pages 1464-1482.
    7. Zhentao Shi & Liangjun Su & Tian Xie, 2020. "L2-Relaxation: With Applications to Forecast Combination and Portfolio Analysis," Papers 2010.09477, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2022.
    8. Su, Liangjun & Wang, Wuyi & Xu, Xingbai, 2023. "Identifying latent group structures in spatial dynamic panels," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 235(2), pages 1955-1980.
    9. Okui, Ryo & Wang, Wendun, 2021. "Heterogeneous structural breaks in panel data models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 220(2), pages 447-473.
    10. Jorge A. Rivero, 2023. "Unobserved Grouped Heteroskedasticity and Fixed Effects," Papers 2310.14068, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2023.
    11. Yiren Wang & Liangjun Su & Yichong Zhang, 2022. "Low-rank Panel Quantile Regression: Estimation and Inference," Papers 2210.11062, arXiv.org.
    12. Boyuan Zhang, 2022. "Incorporating Prior Knowledge of Latent Group Structure in Panel Data Models," Papers 2211.16714, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2023.
    13. Custodio João, Igor & Lucas, André & Schaumburg, Julia & Schwaab, Bernd, 2023. "Dynamic clustering of multivariate panel data," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 237(2).
    14. Xiaorong Yang & Jia Chen & Degui Li & Runze Li, 2024. "Functional-Coefficient Quantile Regression for Panel Data with Latent Group Structure," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(3), pages 1026-1040, July.
    15. Daniel J. Lewis & Davide Melcangi & Laura Pilossoph & Aidan Toner‐Rodgers, 2023. "Approximating grouped fixed effects estimation via fuzzy clustering regression," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 38(7), pages 1077-1084, November.
    16. Denis Chetverikov & Elena Manresa, 2022. "Spectral and post-spectral estimators for grouped panel data models," Papers 2212.13324, arXiv.org, revised Dec 2022.
    17. Hong, Shengjie & Su, Liangjun & Jiang, Tao, 2023. "Profile GMM estimation of panel data models with interactive fixed effects," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 235(2), pages 927-948.
    18. Vogt, Michael & Linton, Oliver, 2020. "Multiscale clustering of nonparametric regression curves," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 216(1), pages 305-325.
    19. Boyuan Zhang, 2020. "Forecasting with Bayesian Grouped Random Effects in Panel Data," Papers 2007.02435, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2020.
    20. Langevin, R.;, 2024. "Consistent Estimation of Finite Mixtures: An Application to Latent Group Panel Structures," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 24/16, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Big data; Convex optimization; High-dimensional model; Numerical solver;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • C55 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Large Data Sets: Modeling and Analysis
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • C87 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Econometric Software

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:kap:compec:v:58:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s10614-020-09995-z. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.