Assessing country risk for foreign investment decisions

Foreign investment decisions are typically taken using mainly economic evaluation criteria. Nowadays many companies are becoming aware that there are additional risks associated with foreign investment that arise as a direct consequence of choosing to operate in a different environment. Country risk assessment as an emerging function in international business reflects a growing recognition of the need to include an evaluation of these additional risks in any comprehensive foreign investment proposal. So far the emphasis has been on assessing the risk associated with factors such as political and economic stability. Little attention has been given to the risks that could arise from the effects of basic socio-cultural differences between the domestic and the proposed foreign environments. How can socio-cultural differences be structured into country risk assessment procedures? This paper develops a framework to answer this need and demonstrates its application to a typical foreign investment scenario.     

A multicriteria model for supporting setup reduction investment decisions

One critical manufacturing challenge of the 1990s is for firms to effectively apply new operations management techniques while embracing wider philosophies such as total quality management (TQM) and computer integrated manufacturing (CIM), etc. Setup cost and/or time reduction is one such technique capable of producing many benefits for manufacturing firms, including reduced inventory, better equipment utilization, and improved quality. It is thereby viewed as an important component of just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing practice. Existing problems with the setup reduction decision include the many factors that must be considered, as well of an absence of validated and usable models for estimating potential benefits from setup reduction investment made in different contexts. This paper discusses the attainment of gains from setup reduction mainly by improving existing equipment and work practices rather than purchasing new equipment or technology. The model proposed in this paper is based on the application of the analytic hierarchical process (AHP) on seven weighted factors to obtain a preliminary indication as to whether investment in setup reduction is desirable in a given manufacturing context, and the expected benefits of such investment. A flexible scaling system, thus obtained, allows the model to handle a wide range of managerial predispositions to setup reduction.     

Investigating investment decisions in equity crowdfunding: The role of projects' intellectual capital

The study aims to investigate the signalling role played by the intellectual capital of entrepreneurial projects towards crowdfunders. The study argues that information on; the intellectual capital of entrepreneurial projects posted on equity crowdfunding platforms can be perceived by external small investors or crowdfunders as signals of the venture's quality and can induce them to invest. By leveraging on the role of signalling theory in the mitigation of information asymmetries, the study argues that the intellectual capital of projects looking for equity crowdfunding is a powerful signal that positively affects the investment decisions of crowdfunders. Three components of entrepreneurial projects' intellectual capital – human, structural, and relational capital – are considered as factors affecting the success of equity crowdfunding campaigns, measured in terms of funding collected and the number of investors. The findings reveal that relational capital positively affects the investment decisions of equity crowdfunders and thus explains the success of equity crowdfunding campaigns. Factors related to human capital and structural capital have a positive impact on investment decisions, but only to a limited extent. This study provides valid implications for entrepreneurs, platform managers, and policy-makers/authorities.     

The role of reference groups in international investment decisions by firms from emerging economies

Investments in China by firms from emerging economies were studied to determine how various reference groups affect their foreign market entry behavior. Imitation was shown to be an important factor, but the mechanism seems to vary depending on the institutional environments in the host and the home market. Firms from emerging economies seem to rely on copying the entry decisions of peers from their home country, especially in locations where the risk of government meddling is greatest. The example of firms from developed economies was found to be less influential.     

视频平台用户生成内容投资和定价决策

平台管理者需要在考虑双边网络外部性的条件下对两边用户进行定价决策,除此之外投资策略也愈显重要。文章以视频平台为对象,用博弈模型研究视频平台在两边定价和 UGC (用户生成内容) 投资策略上的利益权衡。不同的内容来源具有不同的属性,UGC 内容相对于版权视频对广告商的吸引力不同,从而影响平台的投资策略。考虑了 3 种情况: 垄断、广告商多归属的寡头竞争以及广告商单归属的寡头竞争。研究提供了不同情况下视频平台的定价和UGC投资的决策指导,并比较了与传统市场的视角下决策的不同之处。结论显示不同的竞争条件下平台对于用户定价和 UGC 内容的投资策略如何受到 UGC 内容的特性以及平台间差异性的影响。     

Strategic planning in smaller rapid growth companies

The research reported in this article is based on a study of the strategic planning practices of the 500 fastest growing privately held smaller companies in the United States ranked according to percentage of sales increases from 1978 to 1982.^p1 Based on the information provided, a clear picture emerges regarding the actual role of strategic planning in rapid growth companies.     

融资约束、代理冲突与中国上市公司非效率投资行为研究

本文以中国上市公司2000—2009年的实际数据,就我国上市公司融资约束、代理冲突与非效率投资行为三者之间的相互关系展开研究。结果显示,在不同的股权性质与公司规模特征的企业中,由控制权私有收益引发的投资行为扭曲具有不同的表现方式:公司非效率投资行为同时受到由控制权私有收益引起的融资约束和代理冲突的作用,这两种影响的相互作用共同决定了企业的投资行为状态;国有上市公司和非国有上市公司都拥有较高的投资—现金流敏感性,但表现在投资决策行为上却各不相同,国有上市公司整体上呈现出过度投资,而非国有上市公司则表现出投资不足;相对大规模公司而言,小规模公司可能呈现出更高的投资—现金流敏感性,并呈现出投资不足的非效率投资行为,而大规模公司则更可能表现出过度投资的非效率投资行为。     

Exit behaviour of investment companies: the choice of exit channel

For investment companies, selling a portfolio company represents a critical phase in the investment life cycle. The choice of exit channel (initial public offering, secondary buyout, or trade sale) is of particular importance. This paper analyses factors relevant to exit channel selection, deploying a sample of 1,435 European buyout exits between 1992 and 2010. We differentiate between factors which refer to characteristics of the selling investment company and characteristics of the transaction object. Our analysis yields evidence that the reputation of the selling investment company, syndicate size, quality of the transaction object, as well as partial exit are associated with exit channel type. Moreover, our analysis reveals that the economic context and conditions in the capital markets significantly influence the choice of exit channel.     

Firm reputation and investment decisions: The contingency role of securities analysts' recommendations

Moving beyond resource-based consequences of a firm's reputation, we develop a behavioral perspective on the impact of corporate reputation. Although there has been extensive discussion in previous studies of the benefits of reputation in terms of gaining resource advantages, we apply theory on self-regulatory focus to suggest that highly reputable firms may tend to have a prevention focus rather than a promotion focus in their investment strategies. This tendency will lead the firm to opt for low-risk investments rather than high-risk investments. Furthermore, we develop a contingency model and argue that the main effect of reputation on the investment decisions of the firm is further strengthened by the negative recommendations of securities analysts. We find support for our hypotheses. In doing so, we address emerging theories about the potential negative consequences of a firm's reputation and provide important insights for our theoretical understanding of the behavior of highly reputable firms.     

Scenario planning,cognition, and strategic investment decisions in a turbulent environment

We explore how scenario planning contributes to cognitive dynamics and strategic investment decisions in a changing environment. Our research is based on an in-depth, longitudinal case study of Shell's ventures in Russia between 1994 and 2016. We show that Shell's scenarios did not foresee some major events that occurred in the turbulent Russian energy market. However, the scenarios envisaged the rising role of gas, the strategic relevance of the gas transportation infrastructure, and the growing interventionism of the Russian government. The scenarios thus helped Shell's managers to adapt their strategic beliefs and ultimately enabled them to notice, assess, and respond successfully to external changes—even though these changes had not been foreseen in the scenarios. Shell has been the first (and, for almost a decade, the only) foreign company to produce and export gas from Russia.     

Risk management in plant investment decisions: risk typology,dimensions and process

Abstract

Managing risk associated with plant location decisions is a growing concern as companies seek to reassure investors about the robustness of their strategies. However, little attention has been paid to the systematic evaluation of risk associated with new plants. This paper investigates risk management practices in plant investment decisions through detailed case investigations in a cross section of industrial businesses at different levels of maturity in order to observe current practices, identify common principles and to synthesis systematic approaches to risk management. It identifies key risk categories and dimensions of risk management, building on three key bodies of literature – global manufacturing, investment and risk management     

Quantifying level of investment in growth and renewal

This paper presents an approach for quantifying level of investment in corporate growth and renewal. The methodology is based on structuring goal models to attain a specified level of return on investment. The goal models are derived with steady-state assumptions which imply constant growth rates. The concept of product lifetime is introduced to take into consideration the finite life span of all products.Much of the material in this paper may appear, at first glance, to be rather complex and formidable to those not inclined toward mathematical expressions. However, the methodology described can be followed rather easily by merely skimming over the equations since every mathematical expression is shown in graphical format. The mathematics has been included since the material presented may well be a new way of looking at investment in growth and renewal and therefore the conclusions would not be immediately obvious without mathematical backup.     

Affective reactions influence investment decisions: evidence from a laboratory experiment with taxation

We experimentally investigate the effect of taxation of gains and losses on investment behavior. Based on the insights of economic research and psychological concepts, we expect subjects to react to taxation with behavioral and affective changes. Our main results are threefold: first, we show that taxation on gains and the possibility to deduct losses bias investment behavior, but in different directions. Since net payoffs are identical across all tax scenarios and therefore the same investment behavior is to be expected, these differences are in contrast to what a standard theory would predict. Second, we observe that different tax regulations have different effects on the affective and cognitive perception of our subjects. Third, with respect to possible connections of the affective and cognitive ratings, tax regulations, and investment decisions, we are able to show that arousal and risk perception fail to influence the decision making of participants, while there is a highly significant influence of valence perception on choice patterns.     

投资基金绩效评价的Sharpe 指数与 衰减度实证分析

投资基金绩效评价的Sharpe 指数与 衰减度实证分析     

投资基金绩效评价的Sharpe 指数与 衰减度实证分析

采用国际上基金业绩评价中普遍采用的Sharpe指数,对中国证券投资基金的业绩进行实证研究;针对Sharpe指数在基金收益非正态分布时的缺陷,采用Stutzer(2000)提出的衰减度对中国证券投资基金进行实证分析.实证分析说明,衰减度和Sharpe指数相比,在基金收益呈正态分布时,基金业绩排序一致;在基金收益呈非正态分布时,衰减度可根据基金收益高阶统计量(偏度,峰度)进行修正.另外,该研究表明根据衰减度参数θ的大小进行排序对基金绩效评价是有参考价值的.     

一个关于潜在经济增长率的模型

在进行宏观经济增长目标的制定和调控过程中,对潜在经济增长率的测算是十分有意义的。Leontief用动态投入产出模型所对应的特征方程的最大特征值的倒数来表征潜在经济增长率^[1].本文研究了相应的最大特征值的稳定性,并建立了一个简洁的计算潜在经济增长率的模型。     

Appraising companies for acquisition

The author was involved in the 1973–1974 acquisition chase in the U.K. and in the Pacific Basin while working for a British company noted for its acquisitiveness. A mystique has grown up around those people who buy companies and individuals who surround themselves with secrecy and charisma are hiding one essential fact; appraising target companies is not very different from appraising any other direct investment. In fact the task lends itself to a combination of simple economics and plenty of common sense.     

The control function in major German companies

Control as a specific managerial function is receiving increasing recognition. This article presents different concepts of control which have developed in the U.S.A. over many years and quite recently in the Federal Republic of Germany. Examples are given of control concepts as put into practice by leading German industrial enterprises.