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Integrability and Identification in Multinomial Choice Models

Debopam Bhattacharya

arXiv 28 Feb 2019 · Econometrics · publishedJournal of Economic Theory (2024) · 1 citations (OpenAlex)

arXiv:1902.11017 · PDF · DOI · OpenAlex · Extracted main text

Abstract

McFadden's random-utility model of multinomial choice has long been the workhorse of applied research. We establish shape-restrictions under which multinomial choice-probability functions can be rationalized via random-utility models with nonparametric unobserved heterogeneity and general income-effects. When combined with an additional restriction, the above conditions are equivalent to the canonical Additive Random Utility Model. The sufficiency-proof is constructive, and facilitates nonparametric identification of preference-distributions without requiring identification-at-infinity type arguments. A corollary shows that Slutsky-symmetry, a key condition for previous rationalizability results, is equivalent to absence of income-effects. Our results imply theory-consistent nonparametric bounds for choice-probabilities on counterfactual budget-sets. They also apply to widely used random-coefficient models, upon conditioning on observable choice characteristics. The theory of partial differential equations plays a key role in our analysis.

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1Untestability of Average Slutsky Symmetry0.40511