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Identification and Inference in Nonlinear Dynamic Network Models

Diego Vallarino

arXiv 3 Apr 2026 · Statistics — Machine Learning

arXiv:2604.04961 · PDF · DOI · OpenAlex · Extracted main text

Abstract

We study identification and inference in nonlinear dynamic systems defined on unknown interaction networks. The system evolves through an unobserved dependence matrix governing cross-sectional shock propagation via a nonlinear operator. We show that the network structure is not generically identified, and that identification requires sufficient spectral heterogeneity. In particular, identification arises when the network induces non-exchangeable covariance patterns through heterogeneous amplification of eigenmodes. When the spectrum is concentrated, dependence becomes observationally equivalent to common shocks or scalar heterogeneity, leading to non-identification. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for identification, characterize observational equivalence classes, and propose a semiparametric estimator with asymptotic theory. We also develop tests for network dependence whose power depends on spectral properties of the interaction matrix. The results apply to a broad class of economic models, including production networks, contagion models, and dynamic interaction systems.

Citation extraction

33
references
134
in-text mentions
33
distinct cited
2
self-citations
10,031
main-text words

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Most heavily cited references

The works this paper leans on most, across its whole bibliography — not restricted to papers in our corpus. Ranked by composite intensity, which combines how often a work is mentioned, how many sections mention it, and how much of that falls in the main text rather than the appendix.

ReferenceIntensityMentionsSectionsMain text
1Anselin, Luc (1988) Spatial Econometrics: Methods and Models1.000126100%
2Acemoglu, Daron and Carvalho, Vasco and Ozdaglar, Asuman and Tahbaz-… (2012) The Network Origins of Aggregate Fluctuations1.000117100%
3Manski, Charles (1993) Identification of Endogenous Social Effects1.000115100%
4Graham, Bryan (2017) An Econometric Model of Network Formation1.000107100%
5Bai, Jushan (2003) Inferential Theory for Factor Models of Large Dimensions1.000106100%
6Elliott, Matthew and Golub, Benjamin and Jackson, Matthew (2014) Financial Networks and Contagion1.000106100%
7Acemoglu, Daron and Ozdaglar, Asuman and Tahbaz-Salehi, Alireza (2015) Systemic Risk and Stability in Financial Networks1.000105100%
8Ghosh, Debashis and Lin, Danyu Y. and others (2024) On Identifiability of Models for Bivariate Failure Time Data1.00053100%
9Newey, Whitney and McFadden, Daniel (1994) Large Sample Estimation and Hypothesis Testing1.00053100%
10Bai, Jushan (2009) Panel Data Models With Interactive Fixed Effects0.92844100%

Showing the top 10 of 33 scored citations.

Cited by, within the corpus

arXiv econ.EM papers that cite this one, ranked by how heavily they lean on it.

Citing paperIntensityMentionsSections
1Sandpile Economics: Theory, Identification, and Evidence0.73732
2Sovereign Stress Avalanches and Network Amplification in Latin America0.40511