Monte Carlo simulation methods are used to confirm the identifiability of discrete choice models in which unobserved heterogeneity is specified as a random effect and modelled using the nonparametric mass-points approach. This simulation analysis is also used to examine alternative strategies for the estimation of such models by using a quasi-Newton maximum-likelihood estimation procedure, given the apparent sensitivity of model identification to choice of starting values. A mass-point model approach is then applied to a dataset of repeated choice involving household shopping trips between three types of retail centre, and the results from this approach are compared with those obtained from a conventional cross-sectional multinomial logit choice model as well as to results from a model in which a parametric distribution (the Dirichlet) is used to model the unobserved heterogeneity.
This paper analyzes and synthesizes the fundamentals of discrete choice models. This paper alsodiscusses the basic concept and theory underlying the econometrics of discrete choice, specific choicemodels, estimation method, model building and tests, and applications of discrete choice models. Thiswork highlights the relationship between economic theory and discrete choice models: how economictheory contributes to choice modeling and vice versa.
Keywords: Discrete choice models; Random utility maximization; Decision makers; Utility function;Model formulation
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