An artificial economy based on reinforcement learning and agent based modeling

In this paper, we employ techniques from artificial intelligence such as reinforcement learning and agent based modeling as building blocks of a computational model for an economy based on conventions. First we model the interaction among firms in the private sector. These firms behave in an information environment based on conventions, meaning that a firm is likely to behave as its neighbors if it observes that their actions lead to a good pay off. On the other hand, we propose the use of reinforcement learning as a computational model for the role of the government in the economy, as the agent that determines the fiscal policy, and whose objective is to maximize the growth of the economy. We present the implementation of a simulator of the proposed model based on SWARM, that employs the SARSA(λ) algorithm combined with a multilayer perceptron as the function approximation for the action value function.

A firm-level analysis of ICT adoption in an emerging economy: evidence from the colombian manufacturing industries

This study examines ICT adoption among 3,759 Colombian manufacturing firms, and attempts to identify the factors that are conducive to the adoption and usage of ICT at the firm level. Our major findings are (i) that the adoption of a given information and communication technology is better facilitated when a firm is relatively large, has large human capital, engages in more innovative activities, and when a firm’s organizational structure is better aligned with the given technology; (ii) that positive associations between the key determinants and ICT adoptions are more pronounced for small and medium-sized firms than for large ones, and (iii) that information spillovers within industries is also a determinant of ICT adoptions by the firms.

An Empirical Examination of the Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment: A Firm-Level Analysis for the Colombian Economy

We use a large firm level data set to investigate the determinants of foreign direct investment(FDI) in Colombia. We estimate econometric models for the determinants of the probabilitythat a firm receives FDI, as well as for the factors that help to explain the foreign share in afirm’s capital. The results show that firms listed on the stock market, involved in foreign tradeactivities, and operating in sectors with greater capital intensity are more likely to be recipientsof FDI. Also, the probability of a firm receiving FDI is directly related to its size.

A trip through the economy. 'Un viaje a través de la economía'.

Se describe una actividad para ser desarrollada en el aula de Economía de primero de Bachillerato, cuyo objetivo es trabajar parte de los contenidos de Economía en inglés. El planteamiento didáctico propuesto se basa en una webquest. La actividad esta guiada y autogestionada por los alumnos que trabajan a partir de una situación imaginaria inicial que deben resolver con las pautas expuestas en la propia actividad.

Economy & Development.

La geografía económica es el estudio de dónde y cómo las personas se ganan la vida. En este libro se describe cómo en los diferentes países los sectores de la economía son interdependientes. A escala mundial, la geografía económica analiza cómo los países se relacionan entre sí a través de la inversión, el comercio y la ayuda, y cómo estas interacciones tienen consecuencias tanto positivas como negativas para las personas y sus entornos. El mundo está formado por 243 países, cada uno con su propia economía, esta estructura se describe en la primera parte.