Exit Times for a Discrete Markov Additive Process

In this paper we develop the theory of the so-called $mathbf{W}$ and $mathbf{Z}$ scale matrices for (upwards skip-free) discrete-time and discrete-space Markov additive processes, along the lines of the analogous theory for Markov additive processes in continuous-time. In particular, we provide their probabilistic construction, identify the form of the generating function of $mathbf{W}$ and its connection with the occupation mass formula, which provides the tools for deriving semi-explicit expressions for corresponding exit problems for the upward-skip free process and its reflections, in terms the scale matrices.