Internal Finance and Corporate Investment

This paper examines Pecking Order/Free Cash Flow behavior in small ($25–$50 million), medium ($100–250 million), and large ($1000 million and over) firms. The purpose is to proffer an explanation for the important role of cash flow on the investment expenditure of firms that is more complete than the commonly given accounts. The Pecking order theory (PO) emphasizes the value‐enhancing influence of cash flow, while the free cash flow hypothesis (FCF) underscores its value‐destroying effect. Using the vector error correction model, we find that although the overall behavior of small firms support the pecking order theory, the cash flow of these firms does not have any causal effect on their investment. We further find evidence of free cash flow theory in large firms.     

KLSE Long Run Overreaction and the Chinese New-Year Effect

This study investigates long run overreaction and seasonal effects for Malaysian stocks quoted on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE), for the period 1986–1996. Stocks exhibiting extreme returns relative to the market over a three year period experience a reversal of fortunes during the following three years. There is also evidence that employing a contrarian trading strategy may yield excess returns. Of particular interest is the apparent existence of a Chinese New Year effect in both the level of market returns, and the overreaction profile for KLSE stocks. These seasonalities mirror the January-effect observed in US markets.     

Inflationary expectations and transmission of inflation under floating exchange rates

Zusammenfassung Inflationserwartungen und übertragung von Inflation bei flexiblen Wechselkursen. — Dieser Aufsatz befaΒt sich mit den Inflationserwartungen, die vom Devisenmarkt herrühren, und der Art, wie diese von auΒen kommende Preisinipulse auf den Inlandsmarkt übertragen. Mit einem Modell wird analysiert, wie sich nach einer exogenen Verschiebung der Wechselkurserwartungen und/oder nach einer erwarteten Ver?nderung des ausl?ndischen Preisniveaus das inl?ndische Preisniveau verh?lt. Hervorgehoben werden einige Implikationen für Devisenmarktinterventionen und stabilit?tspolitische MaΒnahmen in offenen Volkswirtschaften mit schwankenden Wechselkursen.

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Résumé Expectatives inflationnistes et transmission d’inflation sous le régime des taux de change flottants. — Cet article s’occupe d’expectatives inflationnistes qui résultent du marché de change et la transmission des perturbations de prix à l’économie locale. Un modéle est appliqué à analyser le développement du prix local qui suit à un changement exogéne des expectatives concernant le taux de change et/ou le taux attendu du changement du prix étranger. L’auteur attire l’attention sur quelques implications du modéle présenté pour ne pas intervenir aux marchés de change et pour l’efficacité des politiques de stabilisation de prix dans les économies ouvertes avec des taux de change flottants.

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Resumen Expectativas iriflacionarias y transmisi?n de inflatión bajo tipos de cambio flotantes. — Este artfculo se ocupa de la naturaleza de las expectativas inflacionarias que surgen del mercado cambiario, y de la manera que ellas transmiten las perturbaciones de precios a la economfa domèstica. El modelo se emplea para analizar el comportamiento domèstico de precios que le sigue a un desplazamiento exógeno en las expectativas respecta del tipo de cambio y/o la tasa de cambio esperada en el nivel de precios externo. El artfculo centra la atenci?n sobre algunas implicaciones de este marco particular para la no-intervención en los mercados cambiarios extranjeros, y para la efectividad de polfticas de estabilización de precios en economfas abiertas con tipos de cambio volátiles.

     

Human capital inequality and income inequality: testing for causality

This study investigates the causal relationship between human capital inequality and income inequality in case of Pakistan. The annual time series data ranging from 1973 to 2009 is used for econometric analysis. Johanson co-integration and Granger Causality tests are used to confirm the existence of long run relationship and the causal relationship between human capital inequality and income inequality. The results indicate that there is positive relationship between the two types of inequalities in the long run. The estimates of causality test indicate that income inequality causes the human capital inequality but human capital inequality does not cause income inequality. Policy initiatives to reduce income inequality may empower people economically to avail skill building opportunities and accumulate their human capital through access to educational services.     

SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE POOR: Choices for Developing Countries

There is an urgent need to provide an effective safety net forthe poorest in societies ranging from socialist countries undergoingreform to Sub-Saharan African economies. This article examinessocial security systems in industrial countries and explorestheir relevance to developing countries. The objective of socialsecurity is defined broadly as public action, including thatby communities, to protect the poor and vulnerable from adversechanges in living standards. Relevant instruments include employmentand income guarantees, and also such formal policy instrumentsas assistance, social insurance, and family allowances. Thearticle highlights issues that arise in providing social securityin developing countries, particularly its effectiveness in protectingthe target groups.      

Self serving reference points in double auctions

We present a novel approach for modelling self serving bias by way of reference dependence. Bias is modelled as a systematic individual level deviation of the endogenous reference point from the expected price of a good in a two person k-double auction. We find that bias decreases the efficiency of the model, and that efficiency is decreasing in both the level of bias and reference dependence.     

Take it or leave it: Using regulatory fit theory to understand reward redemption in channel reward programs

Channel Reward Programs (CRPs) facilitate relationship management within reseller networks in distribution channels, yet a persistent problem is that rewards are not seen as valuable, which can reduce program investment. By applying Regulatory Fit theory, to understand how to sustain goal orientation (promotion or prevention) and stimulate task engagement through a match with the manner of goal pursuit, this study demonstrates that the presentation style suppliers adopt influences resellers' perceptions of reward value and their rate of point redemption with respect to CRPs. Two field studies demonstrate the mechanisms driving this effect. First, fit effects result from the interaction between reward type and presentation format (i.e., verbal vs. numerical) and affect perceived reward values and investment decisions. Second, cognitive engagement and “feeling right” about reward redemption mediate the effects of fit on investment opportunity evaluations. In turn, the findings demonstrate that CRP efficacy can be enhanced by stimulating regulatory orientations that match the presentation formats of the reward and that the dual affective–cognitive processes affect probabilistic judgments of rewards. This additional mechanism can further stimulate resellers' engagement with and investment in CRPs within complex decision-making contexts.