When it counts -- Econometric identification of the basic factor model based on GLT structures

Sylvia Fr\"uhwirth-Schnatter, Darjus Hosszejni and Hedibert Freitas Lopes ()

Papers from arXiv.org

Abstract: Despite the popularity of factor models with sparse loading matrices, little attention has been given to formally address identifiability of these models beyond standard rotation-based identification such as the positive lower triangular (PLT) constraint. To fill this gap, we review the advantages of variance identification in sparse factor analysis and introduce the generalized lower triangular (GLT) structures. We show that the GLT assumption is an improvement over PLT without compromise: GLT is also unique but, unlike PLT, a non-restrictive assumption. Furthermore, we provide a simple counting rule for variance identification under GLT structures, and we demonstrate that within this model class the unknown number of common factors can be recovered in an exploratory factor analysis. Our methodology is illustrated for simulated data in the context of post-processing posterior draws in Bayesian sparse factor analysis.

Date: 2023-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ecm and nep-ets
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Journal Article: When It Counts—Econometric Identification of the Basic Factor Model Based on GLT Structures (2023)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:arx:papers:2301.06354

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