In this paper, we present a review of various computational experiments concerning neural network (NN) models developed for regional employment forecasting. NNs are nowadays widely used in several fields because of their flexible specification structure. A series of NN experiments is presented in the paper, using two data sets on German NUTS-3 districts. Individual forecasts are computed by our models for each district, in order to answer the following question: How relevant are NN parameters in comparison to NN structure? Comprehensive testing of these parameters is limited in the literature. Building on different specifications of NN models – in terms of explanatory variables and NN structures – we propose a systematic choice of NN learning parameters and internal functions by means of a sensitivity analysis. Our results show that different combinations of NN parameters provide significantly varying statistical performance and forecasting power. Finally, we note that the sets of parameters chosen for a given model specification cannot be light-heartedly applied to different or more complex models.

R. Patuelli, A. Reggiani, P. Nijkamp, N. Schanne (2011). Neural Networks for Regional Employment Forecasts: Are the Parameters Relevant?. JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHICAL SYSTEMS, 13(1), 67-85 [10.1007/s10109-010-0133-5].

Neural Networks for Regional Employment Forecasts: Are the Parameters Relevant?

PATUELLI, ROBERTO;REGGIANI, AURA;
2011

Abstract

In this paper, we present a review of various computational experiments concerning neural network (NN) models developed for regional employment forecasting. NNs are nowadays widely used in several fields because of their flexible specification structure. A series of NN experiments is presented in the paper, using two data sets on German NUTS-3 districts. Individual forecasts are computed by our models for each district, in order to answer the following question: How relevant are NN parameters in comparison to NN structure? Comprehensive testing of these parameters is limited in the literature. Building on different specifications of NN models – in terms of explanatory variables and NN structures – we propose a systematic choice of NN learning parameters and internal functions by means of a sensitivity analysis. Our results show that different combinations of NN parameters provide significantly varying statistical performance and forecasting power. Finally, we note that the sets of parameters chosen for a given model specification cannot be light-heartedly applied to different or more complex models.
2011
R. Patuelli, A. Reggiani, P. Nijkamp, N. Schanne (2011). Neural Networks for Regional Employment Forecasts: Are the Parameters Relevant?. JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHICAL SYSTEMS, 13(1), 67-85 [10.1007/s10109-010-0133-5].
R. Patuelli; A. Reggiani; P. Nijkamp; N. Schanne
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/100966
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