Implied Risk Aversion Parameter from Option Prices

This paper estimates the representative investor's coefficient of relative risk aversion using option price data. Estimation is carried out using the method of simulated moments. Employing the following assumptions: a) agents have constant proportional risk averse preferences, b) complete markets exist, and c) asset returns are distributed lognormally, an objective function is constructed within the equivalent martingale measure framework. Unlike the case of equity markets, the implied risk aversion parameter from option prices is quite low and stays between zero and one.     

Editor's Introduction

From May 19 to May 21, 2005, the Business History Conferenceheld its annual meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The programcommittee of Steven W. Usselman (chair), Tracey Deutsch, HelenShapiro, Steven Tolliday, and JoAnne Yates put together a marvelousprogram. The local arrangements     

Attribute substitution in household vehicle portfolios

Roughly three quarters of vehicles are purchased into multi-car households. We study whether households are willing to substitute attributes, such as fuel economy, across vehicles within their portfolio. We develop a novel strategy to separately identify idiosyncratic preferences for an attribute from these within-portfolio effects. Using the universe of household vehicle registration records in California over a 6-year period, we find that two-car households exhibit strong substitution across vehicles when faced with an exogenous change to fuel intensity of a kept vehicle. This effect can erode a substantial portion of the benefit from major policies, such as Cash-for-Clunkers.     

Duration and relational choices: Time based effects of customer performance and environmental uncertainty on relational choice

This paper investigates the influences of customer performance and environmental uncertainty on the customer's choice of relational exchange strategies over the duration of their relationship. Relational exchanges of short, intermediate, and long term duration are investigated with the results showing different performance outcomes and environmental factors impacting relational choice at different times in the relationship. The results help explain conflicts reported in prior relational exchange research and provide valuable insights for practitioners responsible for managing relational exchanges.