Internet-Based Virtual Stock Markets for Business Forecasting
评估了基于互联网的虚拟股票市场在商业预测中的潜力、设计方式及预测准确性，通过三个实际应用案例比较其与专家预测的表现，并提出新的有效性检验方法。
The application of Internet–based virtual stock markets (VSMs) is an additional approach that can be used to predict short– and medium–term market developments. The basic concept involves bringing a group of participants together via the Internet and allowing them to trade shares of virtual stocks. These stocks represent a bet on the outcome of future market situations, and their value depends on the realization of these market situations. In this process, a VSM elicits and aggregates the assessments of its participants concerning future market developments. The aim of this article is to evaluate the potential use and the different design possibilities as well as the forecast accuracy and performance of VSMs compared to expert predictions for their application to business forecasting. After introducing the basic idea of using VSMs for business forecasting, we discuss the different design possibilities for such VSMs. In three real–world applications, we analyze the feasibility and forecast accuracy of VSMs, compare the performance of VSMs to expert predictions, and propose a new validity test for VSM forecasts. Finally, we draw conclusions and provide suggestions for future research.