Comparison of SML and GMM Estimators for the Random Coefficient Logit Model Using Aggregate Data

36 Pages Posted: 22 Sep 2011

See all articles by Sungho Park

Sungho Park

Arizona State University (ASU) - W.P. Carey School of Business

Sachin Gupta

Cornell University - Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management; Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

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Date Written: May 1, 2011

Abstract

A Simulated Maximum Likelihood (SML) estimator for the random coefficient logit model using aggregate data is found to be more efficient than the widely used Generalized Method of Moments estimator (GMM) of Berry-Levinsohn-Pakes (1995). In particular, the SML estimator is better than the GMM estimator in recovery of heterogeneity parameters, which are often of central interest in marketing research. With the GMM estimator, the analyst must determine what moment conditions to use for parameter identification, especially the heterogeneity parameters. With the SML estimator, the moment conditions are automatically determined as the gradients of the log-likelihood function, and these are the most efficient ones if the model is correctly specified. Another limitation of the GMM estimator is that the product market shares must be strictly positive while the SML estimator can handle zero market share observations. Properties of the SML and GMM estimators are demonstrated in simulated data and in data from the US photographic film market.

Keywords: Random Coefficients, Logit Model, Endogeneity, Heterogeneity, Simulated Maximum Likelihood, Generalized Method of Moments

Suggested Citation

Park, Sungho and Gupta, Sachin, Comparison of SML and GMM Estimators for the Random Coefficient Logit Model Using Aggregate Data (May 1, 2011). Empirical Economics, Forthcoming, Johnson School Research Paper Series No. 42-2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1931744

Sungho Park (Contact Author)

Arizona State University (ASU) - W.P. Carey School of Business ( email )

Marketing Department
PO Box 874106
Tempe, AZ 85287-4106
United States

Sachin Gupta

Cornell University - Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management ( email )

Ithaca, NY 14853
United States

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business ( email )

Ithaca, NY 14850
United States

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